Shouts of Silence

The night is quiet. The night is loud. Robins spread their wings around their young who sleep peacefully with full stomachs. For now, they are safe behind the thick branches and concealed by the leaves. Not a sound comes from them. A few twigs below them, lay a resting squirrel in a snug hole. Its nutshells are scattered across his home. He doesn’t chatter anymore. This tree is sound asleep, or so it seems. On the opposite side of the trunk, a spider works slowly and carefully on her web. Each fall and climb creates an intricate design and pattern. Her eight thin arms weave the silver thread silently. Above her masterpiece, and owl hoots.

A couple meters to their right, closer to the dying lights of the urban world, a thief masked in black scours the area. A metal clang is followed by rustling, as he pokes his head around for the promise of food. His time has come to do what he does the best. After a whole day of camping out, he attacks his prey. This night he is not interrupted.

The creatures inside the building did not register the clang of their garbage can. No, they were dreaming. Their lights have been extinguished to embrace the silence and to reach their minds to the stars. Their breathing is even and shallow. The purr of the computer and the hum of their fans are mute at the moment. Time to time, the peace is disturbed by a whoosh. It was something passing their house at a great speed. Through their open windows, cars can be heard running back to put other sleepy creatures to bed. And wait! There is the distinct sound of snoring.

Along the streets, the moon and stars are not the only ones spilling light in the night. Street lamps bathe the roads with small pools of warmth. They shower the grass with yellow light, but consequently, clouding the stars. The crickets’ chirps are melted into the air.

Above the cloud of light, higher into the sky, millions of stars drown the heavens. The sun is away and resting, the moon soft and soothing. Yet in the clusters of stars, planets and galaxies, the constellation Leo roars loudly in the sky. Yes, there is also Orion, bow ready, guarding the night. Little Bear seeks comfort from Big Bear. The planets continue to orbit around each other endlessly. Are they asleep? No, they are very much awake like the rest of our little world.