Nighttime Whispers

Listen now,
the night is speaking.
A cool breath on the back of your neck
that traces your outer ear
like the breath of a lover
in an empty bed.

You can tell yourself
that it's only crickets
car engines
the breeze
or the air conditioning.

But we both know the truth.
The night surrounds you
dark arms cradling
nughtmares and reams alike.

What do you hear
in its soft whisper?
And why do you insist so much
that it isn't real?
Why does your heart pound so quickly?
Why does it scare you so?