In the Quiet of Night

She couldn't wait Any longer Putting on a navy coat She turned on the porch light And went outside Searching the road That ran past her house. That morning Just before the sun Came up They spoke Silent walls Listening To their secrets. Shivering in the night's dampness She couldn't remember Everything he said His muffled words Seemed so vague And far away. Tired She went back Inside To rest. Closing her eyes She felt movement Turning over gently To someplace far away And the thought of dying Came to her A chance light from a passing car Flashed Shadows on the walls And she saw The substance of a child Walking in a dream A dim light Highlighting her hair She asked, Are you coming to take me? Smiling the child answered We are eager When life gives And afraid when life takes back You have time I will be back When you are ready. The wind was beginning to race down From the west He had forgotten how cold The March wind could be. Turning up his collar He walked quickly The sound of Gravel churning under his boots. She heard Boots scraping the front steps What took you so long she asked? I dropped by to see my Mother There's not much to say Mom's still waiting for Dad To come home After all this time.