The Hungry Artist

The hum of the heater
takes me to a place of warmth

Loosely wrapped
in electric blanket
feet fitted
in oversized tube socks
the hum comforts me
in a large house
full of warm
wandering bodies

The hum of the heater
takes me to a place of fear

The sound is drowned
by the slap of straps
against a body trapped
stinging hot flushed skin
while my own
feels raw and cold
as I cower
in an overlooked corner

I hear a click
The heater drones
just like the one
back home

Now home is here
and the hum soothes
in a world that contracts
in and out of fear

I swallow a swig of coffee
The hum stops
The warmth
flows down

I am here