awakened

when I pull the shutter back

before wiping it down
to paint it with a paint

called charleston green,
almost black.
I see the small brown
bat nestled against

the wall. his small body

gripping the rough brick.
gently, I move him with
a long stick, sending him 

to the ground with wings 

spread wider than I imagined.

his teeth and pink mouth

bared open. a whispered

hiss barely audible, but

vicious. he's angry, 

and who wouldn't be,
awakened on this cold
spring morning from 

a dream filled sleep.