Quiet as a Mouse(new title)

[TranquillityBase]

He came
       not with a knock
but a seep
       under jamb and sill.
            A draft, a hunger
a winter’s night chill.
 
A quiet, a creep
            a mere mouse
a shadow nibbling
           within the body
of your house.
 
Almost heard
            the faint gnawing
the chomping, the clawing
            pantry through cupboard.
 
We didn’t know
            until dust,
meager crumbs
             and brittle bones.
 
Only your laugh remained
             caught in his throat.

Coming in late on this one just to say 

I read your concern about the penultimate stanza.  Yes, it's a bit foggy, but the last line lends itself to many interpretations, and I'd hate to see that aspect lessened by making the transition more transparent or explicit.  If that makes any sense.

TqB