a good night

tonight is a warm whisper

my body sighs

i peel away the self doubt

i bare my soul to myself and see that it is good

it is still good

as good as it was when i ran and laughed until it hurt late into the dark

me and my sisters

sticky with the scent of grass and dirt

giggles on our breath

a shared wallow in the bath

clean sheets

my mother's kiss

goodnight

i love you

our nighttime mantra

a clean bare heart quietly beating

under my favorite nightgown

what a surprise to come home

from the clamouring city of my day

loosen laces

shrug off soiled armor

and find that it is still there

still beating

still true

it hasn't missed a beat

and now

when i slip into my favorite nightgown of self-forgiveness
and close my eyes

my heart is just as clean

and just as bare

as it was that summer night in missouri

years ago

*

artwork by Audrey Kawasaki.... she is so amazing...