Noises From Below (Poetry)

How can she stand it?
His wail brings shivers
he sounds demonic
attention quivers
dreads half-human cries

We strain to hear her
expected soothing
words to calm him down
their absence proving
a deaf ear applies

No warm mothering
seeks to pacify
this tiny monster
screeching fit to die
wrapped in child’s disguise

It’s a clever ruse
outside in the street
who would ever guess
blond-haired — looking sweet
the Hell-spawn he hides?

Yowls penetrate walls
unsettle the air
seep through nervous floor
and float up the stair
pollute as they rise