The Alley

Crisp rusty leaves rush past me
Skittering across the pavement
Before tumbling over each other in a corner

A gust of wind shakes the lamp post
Squeaky metallic notes of rust
Accompany the muffled voices
Seeping from behind the poorly lit windows.

Only my footsteps scraping
Against the cold cobblestones
Break the dullness
Of the narrow alleyway.

A sharp loud crack,
followed by a deep thud
Pierced my chest
I can almost taste the fright.
I jolted,
all senses on high alert
a dark creature,
her shadow
flashing
out of sight.
I froze, not knowing
where to hide.

More thuds,
chaotic clattering
And banging
All happening too fast.

It lasted only a few seconds
Until a reassuringly familiar
Yowl and hiss

A cats’ fight.