I woke 10 minutes after 4 o’clock
abruptly, out of nestled dreaming sleep,
to one percussive slap or rap or knock,
as if a creature begged to breach my keep.
But outside my Dutch door latch and its lock
no figure lurked. I toured my place. A sweep
of eyes revealed my vigilance absurd.
And that’s how I began December 3rd.

(Ottava Rima)