Midnight Rumble

The house settles, groans

its own complaints against the dark.

Then, a vibration, low,

from the highway, a distant mark.

A semi, downshifting, a long haul,

its engine a deep, steady growl.

It shakes the glass in the window frame,

a restless, hungry howl.

I feel it in my bones,

this vast, indifferent force.

Moving through the sleeping world,

without remorse.

Just passing through,

a metal heart, a heavy breath.

And I'm just here, listening,

counting down to some quiet death.