When I was little

My mother told me

Warned me

To mind my tongue

The walls have ears

I was young enough

To still heed the word of my mother

To believe her

Without question

The walls have ears

So I minded my words

Hushed my tone

Bit my tongue

But I could still feel it

The walls have ears

Every move I made

Every whisper of fabric

Or cough

Or laugh

The walls have ears

Long after my mother was gone

And I was alone in the house

I felt it

Every breath

The walls have ears

Even when I made no noise

Sat still

Holding my breath

I felt it

The walls have ears

No, not just ears

But eyes

The walls have eyes.