Nature's Lullaby

Nature's Lullaby

I slipped from my cozy bedroom and made my way through the dark shadow filled living room to the front door. I opened the door to reveal another world outside, its sky covered in scattered diamonds.

Transitioning from the cool soft tile floor that was the living room, my naked feet settled onto the smooth concrete closing the door with a slight click. A soothing voice expressed its curiosity of why I was out on the porch instead of asleep in bed. I scuffed my feet across the concrete toward the comforting arms of my mother as the wind brushed against my cheek. Shadow covered red brick wall to my right and wide open world to my left. Little round flashing lightening bugs blinked in the distance as if talking to one another through code. My mother gently pulled me into her warm embrace, her warmth emanating from her comforting hold keeping the chilling breeze from nipping at my skin.

The light creaking of the rocker beneath my mother and I added to the music of the cool night air as I held my teddy bear close. The rumble of a stray car vanishing down the darkening path and crickets were prominent at that moment followed by the distinct hooting of an owl. Staring out into the darkness past the porch and steps, I watched the swaying of the maple tree waving its leaves about unable to dodge the recurring breeze. As the tree struggled to hold its leaves on each graceful swaying branch, the wind would grab some and carry them far away. Each sound portrayed the essence of each plant and creature in nature. Nature's singing was soon accompanied by my mother's soft clear voice.

My mother began singing, "Puff The Magic Dragon Lived By The Sea," as I continued to lazily gaze out toward the front yard. Signs of my sister's and my makeshift softball field were slightly visible in the dim light. As I was starting to slip off into sleep, part of me wanted to jump up, go to the tree and start climbing as my sister and I would do often.

Mom would fidget, repositioning me on her lap. Somewhere in her thoughts, she was complaining about not having a big enough lap, for she would verbalize these complaints often during the day. I felt her arms around me for a moment, then one moved to softly caress my face then hair, as her soothing voice continued delivering the beautiful words of the song.

I pressed in closer to snuggle feeling my eyelids grow heavier starting to close out the world. My ears continue to hear her dancing voice as the wind and other various sounds, as well as the creaking of the rocking chair, add emphasis to the words that my mother continues to sing. I feel the passion and contentment from my mother enveloping me with love. My breathing begins to become deep and long as my conscious slips off into unconsciousness. The dream world pulls me in, breaking my ties to reality.

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This was a short story I had to do for a writing course I was taking about two years ago. It is mostly a memory from when I was about four or five years old, and my mother would often rock us out on the front porch. I found it when I went looking for something and thought I would share it. I hope you enjoy it.

Phoenix_Kiana