peace at three a.m.

Everything was silent for the
cricket symphony at three a.m.

I sat on the cool cement of the driveway to listen
and a pill bug slowly approached to sit at my left.

I noticed a spider on my right,
still and sprawled,
and for the first time I realized that
he had no desire to scare me.

He stared and waited,
spread like an open hand ready to take mine.
Wary, I only watched him and refused
to relinquish my hand.

He seemed to know that these things take time.

The three of us sat and listened to the crickets, unmoving and appreciative of the company.

A street light flickered on and off down the curve of the road,
soft and gentle.

For the first time,
I realized there was peace.