They are wrapped in sleep, the dogs chewing cud, the circled cat, the girl in a partial tuck. The National plays much too loudly from the next room. And you have been awake forever. More than an hour. In the dark. With your dreams in the satchel of your head. Swarming. You worry for someone you have never met. For her sadness. You know, already, of her sadness. Too much grief. Why is there so much grief? We were made for joy. For card games late at night. For the story that goes on and on and ends in full-throated laughter.
And wherever you are, know that I am keeping vigil with you. And wish you peace.
I don’t know if this was for me, but it’s comforting all the same. So thanks.
It was. You’ve been on my mind a great deal.
That means a lot more than I can really say. And now, you are on my mind as well. I hope you are being kind to yourself.
You said this when I particularly needed to hear it.
We’re good that way.