He spoke

The sound of the cicadas

saved me tonight.

I followed that sound

as it muffled and swelled,

drowning out

my fears of loneliness

my screams of yesteryears

my frightening memories

and the pain that always remains.

I remembered

my mother-in-law's whispered words

the moment before she passed,

"Catherine. God just spoke to me.

He asked me to tell you this...

'Come out of yourself

and be what you do in this world.

In so doing, you will find

inner peace.'"

But the hour was late

and I had been all I could be

in this world

for this day,

so exhaustion left peace

back with the distant horizon

and an edgy strain of uneasiness

waxed and waned until

uncertainty pulled me completely apart.

The cries of the cicadas

no longer had effect.

Then, the lullaby returned and

He spoke to me...

"My child, you have done well.

The day was rich.

Your acts were worthy.

Place your mind at rest.

You can be what you do in this world again tomorrow.

Tonight I give you this...

My peace."

And hearing that

I needed nothing more

so I graciously welcomed the night.