Pastel on sanded paper, 9.5” x 11.5”, Framed

Before Dreams

By Rebecca Graves

Drinking jasmine tea from jars 

Watching the heavenly walk of stars

The scent of the soil, the seasons turned over

The promise of sleep undisturbed.

The crickets’ call and the nightjar’s response 

The soft breath of a friend, sitting beside

The rumbling of thunder after lightning fades       

Memories of artichokes eaten in markets far away

Talking of travel, tickets we would buy 

If money were left over at the month’s end.

Trusting the hours, we sit, 

until the mosquitoes itch us in.