i sat down to write a poem
i sat under the burning fire of the furnace
its lungs pumping heat throughout the house
intent on keep us warm through the night
i felt safe, the growl and gutter my protectors
i sat under the sturdy beams of the first floor
and listened to the footsteps of no one above
i pulled a blanket over my head and narrowed my eyes at the computer screen
which told me of all the horrid ways we were making each other sick.