Something died

Something died in our flat last year

I still don't know what it was

I didn't notice anything at first

But you kept complaining about a stale smell

It got so bad you kept going outside for fresh air

I stayed indoors; I couldn't smell anything

And besides it was cold outside

It must have got worse

Because at one point you got fed up

You showed me where the smell was worst

It was coming from somewhere in your room

I suddenly got a waft of decay

And it turned my stomach

how on earth did I not smell that before?

Maybe because you didn't show me

Suddenly it was everywhere

I couldn't unsmell it so I joined you outside

it was still cold, but it wasn't so bad

it made a nice change from being indoors

after a while I came back in

I changed all the fabrics and opened all the windows

I scrubbed every surface and sprayed every room

Was that better, I asked?

You came in for a bit and said it was

but we could both still smell it

I was determined to find the source

You went out again while I started looking

I took all the furniture out of your room

Finally I moved the bed and there it was

I couldn't identify what exactly it was

but it was definitely something dead

I scooped it up and disposed of it

the bed too for good measure

I convinced myself that was better

but when you came in next you could still smell it

Where am I going to sleep now, you asked

I hadn't thought of that

I was so determined to get rid of the smell

it's okay, you said, I'll sleep outside

you haven't been back since