Sleeping

I was away from home for nearly six weeks. My return brought with it the inability to sleep peacefully, my nights burdened with knowledge of no one I know nearby. I live on a street that is not a neighborhood.

When away, for the first three weeks I slept below my son, his wife and two small children and then the new baby. A basement bedroom for family. I woke to little feet hitting the floor.  I left them to join my literary community, sleeping on a college campus. A private room, friends just down the hall. A campus where at night when walking you may pass several people you know well even though you may not stop to talk.

I’m home now for two weeks.  Mostly I feel safe. I’ve yearned for solitude all my life.

Today there was a blizzard. Traffic in front of my house nearly stopped. The snow cushions  sound. Wind has finally stopped shaking the windows. I  keep myself company. Books line my bed, notebook open. Candels lit. Bath nearly drawn. Bed time approaching.