Bed Time

There’s no substitute for the shadows of trees dancing on illuminated patches of wall after dark. Owls hooting softly is the perfect balm for an overstimulated mind. Watch the shadows, listen to the owls, and sigh deeply. Then sleep, if you can, with the cat curled between your feet. Except she may leap to the windowsill. More than once, perhaps.

At last, you might rise to look out the window with her, your face suspended just above hers. Scanning the darkened yard, looking for movement, seeing nothing, you might glance down at her eyes, eyes like glowing green glass. Where are they looking? Look there. Nothing. A strand of your hair brushes her whiskers. She casts a glance your way, but returns her fascinated gaze to the yard below.

Soon, tired, you accept that you won't see whatever it is. Certainly not without your glasses, and even then, probably not. Climb back into bed. Let thoughts melt slowly into dreams. Wake with the drop in temperature and pull the blanket up to your chin. When the cat finally settles on your feet, then you can really let go of wakefulness, sink deep, and travel softly over the mirror-like stream of the subconscious.

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