The Calm Before Tomorrow

Background: DinoDaughter gave me a book for the holidays called Just Write One Thing Today containing 365 writing prompts. The post title above is Prompt #93, and it’s my reflections on a song written by that same daughter. The lyrics of the song are below, with my musings indented. 

Musings on
A Late Night Lullaby
by Joanna Hulse

When the night comes, and the moon glows white;

The sun is long gone and the night is well underway. The clock is ticking, and I have to get to sleep. Why do I lie here staring at the ceiling? Is it the light of the full moon keeping me awake?

Be at peace now, things will be alright.

But will they? My mind is racing, going over and over all the ways things can go wrong, and I can’t stop it. Can’t even start to slow it down.

When the stars shine, look above and feel quiet stillness, for our souls to heal.

I get up, leave the bedroom, and wander the house aimlessly. Finally I open the patio door and step out into the mild night. I look up and there they are: the stars, shining gently. They’ve been there longer than I’ve drawn breath, and will remain long after I’m dust. I do feel my soul slowing down in the face of their eternity.

Let the darkness ease your troubles; let the night remove your cares. Find the calm that you deserve, and the answer to your prayers.

Somehow the empty darkness surrounds me and gently teases away my tension. My stomach un-knots as I feel the calm night descend upon me, draping over my heart like a baby blanket. I whisper a wordless prayer into the ether, and swear I can feel its comforting echo return on the light breeze.

Lay down, sleep well; soon enough the day will break. May you find serenity, and love be with you when you wake.

Amen.

 

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