Shared Walls

The fan is humming on the floor

to drown out the world behind the door.

But then a sharp, wet sound of glee

rips through the static and lands on me.

I lean my head against the paint.

My own pulse feels distant and faint.

The drywall shivers against my ear.

Somebody’s happy. Somebody’s here.

And I am just a shadow in the hall,

listening to the party through the wall.