Night Songs

I hear an owl calling "who?", outside my window tonight, for the first time since,
I don't know, a very long time... since I was walking the floor, months ago with a sleepless toddler.

Where has he been, this owl? Did he fly south for the winter? Or has he been here all the while, as that toddler grew into a boy? Was he standing still and silent, composing his night aria, waiting for the flowering time, the moment for singing?

Does he feel now a fluttering in his chest, a new spring upon him? Did he feel the time had come? Or does he sing only to let me know that this square of land is his, his mother's before him, and hers before that?

I hear a train too. Far off, but not so far. Some call this a lonely sound, but it does not seem so to me, more like a mother come swiftly to kiss a brow, damp with unkind dreams, and whisper, "I'm here. I'm here."

But then, I suppose that sound has carried too many loves too far from home, the whispers changing - "You're gone. You're gone."

Lonely. Yes, I hear it now.

I hear a creaking metal bed down the hall. A little one, turning in his sleep and pulling the covers more tightly around him, he cares not where the train goes or why the owl sings, but only what tomorrow brings.

And I hear prayers lifted up, my own,

"Train don't take him too far.

Owl sing him into many springs.

Little boy, may your sleep always be so peaceful as it is this night."

Comments

[Molly]

I love the sounds of night: the howl of the train, the stutter of rain, the slick sound of tire on wet pavement. And that moment, twilight, is such a beautiful, stand-still time.

[Marina]

No one I know write as well as you. Thank you!!

[erin]

you have a way with words, stef. my goodness, this is just beautiful.

[Kate]

Good gracious Stefani, this post is simply amazing. Your little prayer brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you for bringing such loveliness to my morning!

[Tracy]

Beautiful. Sad. Hopeful. Lonely.

Your words are stitched together so beautifully.

[Em]

Wow, that is really beautiful. You're a wonderful writer! Lovely Post!

[Collins]

You are a beautiful writer! I love reading this blog. I also love night sounds. In fact I always talk to my husband about how much I love them. My favorite is a train a mile or so away. I love it. I love rain so much.

[molly]

beautiful. these words seem to come so easily to you. i love that.

funny. i found myself up in the middle of the night last night. i needed to write a few thoughts down, before they were forgotten. and i found myself whispering similar prayers as I drifted back off to sleep.

[Sugar Creek Farm]

Wow, this little nugget rendered me breathless this morning. Thank you.

[Mary-Sue]

Not possible to just read and leave when the words are so beautiful. This really resonated to my core. Thank you for this!!

[Angela]

Beautiful...I'm on the verge of tears for being able to relate so well to these words.

[Jess]

that was a beautiful piece of writing - completely took me out of my work day for a second - thank you!

[kayla]

Wow, this one brought tears to my eyes... my little boy is 2 1/2 and is growing so fast! Thank you for this; I absolutly love it!

[Jody]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your talented writing with the rest of us. We are blessed because of your words.
We also have a train nearby and I love the sound. It reminds me that we are not alone and that we are all connected. Thanks for the great perspective!

[franticallysimple]

I have chills. What a beautiful piece of poetry.

[kellie]

i discovered your blog not long ago. i'm always anxious to see what you have to say or share with us. this was a beautiful post. truly taken to heart and i am very grateful that i have found your blog which is always amazing and so inspiring in words & in photos. thanks for sharing.

[knitsational]

So lovely and heartbreaking.

[wesleyjeanne]

Lovely. Simply lovely. Thank you.

[Ansley]

Man, how beautiful!
I just found you through another blogger and so glad I did.
Your words, photos and wisdom touches something inside of me....thanks for sharing!
I don't feel so alone in this world