Before first light,
there is a kind of joy
I feel
in being awake
in the quiet and in the dark.
Before noise comes into the day
from within me,
or from persistent scratching at windows
that is untended grief
masked by accomplished society.
When the world is quiet
I too feel invited to quiet,
to dwell with faithful companions
of unfettered and awakened heart
in undisturbed stillness.
Before noise comes,
the awareness
of dreamtime
still sips coffee with me,
to remind me of what is also true.
Before noise,
I remember,
animated, integrated,
and needed,
soul work.