The key turns in the lock,
footsteps fade away.
The cottage waits - silent, still.

A spider spins its web in the corner of the window-pane while a grey slug slowly slimes along the edge of the sink.

From behind the skirting board
a tiny nose peeps out;
quivering whiskers, two beady eyes
and a long tail appear
as one of the Brownsbank mice
pitter- patters across the floor.

Frightened by a sighing sound,
it scuttles away.
But it's only the cottage settling down,
like an old woman loosening her stays.

The cottage waits - silent, still,
while up on the roof,
wisps of smoke rise from a dead fire.

© Grace Sim

Grace Sim is a member of Lanark Writers. You can see another example of her writing in the March 2006 showcase.