In the night
Alice walks
from her room

along dark
passageways
passing by

Father's door
nanny's room
down the stairs

creeping soft
shadows loom
tick of clock

sight of moon
through window
and its glass

deeper down
servant's end
darker still

talks in sleep
or snoring
from rooms passed

till at last
she reaches
Mary's room

with small hand
and fingers
she opens

up the door
and goes in
shuts the door

behind her
with soft click
there she sees

Mary's bed
metal frame
double size

grey pillows
greying sheets
thick blankets

on the bed
and within
snuggled deep

Mary sleeps
Alice peeps
in half dark

(moon's bright light
splits the night)
and listens

to the sounds
of breathing
mutterings

and soft snores
Alice waits
senses cold

bite her toes
and fingers
quietly

she climbs up
on the bed
and enters

to the warm
rough covers
in between

snuggles up
to the maid's
narrow back

and hot smells
of nightgown
and warm flesh

Alice slips
her small hand
all around

Mary's waist
her other
hand resting

on her chin
listening
to the maid's

rise and fall
in her sleep
safe at last

Alice thinks
safe and hot
drifts to sleep

soundlessly
as far off
a dog barks

a clock chimes
and Mary
in her sleep

dreams of home
far away
unaware

that Alice
is behind
sleeping there.