Danger and Truth in the Night Garden | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Danger and Truth in the Night Garden | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tracy Nunes
08/29/13
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We sat in the shade in the lingering heat of the late day, our muscles still pulsing with the energy we’d spent removing the old debris and cultivating new growth. Our sweat left salt crystals on our lips and our backs complained, but we were pleased.

Looking over the results, a sense of satisfaction took hold and peace crept in. As we sat, the day began to fade and the shadows grew long. The remnant heat of the day mixed with the cool air sliding down from the mountains and created the unique fragrance of dusk. One by one, little sounds began to emanate from the garden: chirps, then tweets, and finally, croaks.

A gentle breeze swirled through and blended with the evening cooing of the doves and the scratching of the chickens to produce the symphony of twilight. The labors of the day joined with the sounds of nature and a potent Presence fell upon us and hushed our conversation.

As the final shafts of sunlight faded over the mountains the garden darkened, but we lingered. Like glue, peace affixed us to our chairs and we soaked it in.

Darkness assumed command of the elements but a quarter-moon shed enough light to see their shadows, little creatures hopping out of an underground lair. The first one was a delightful surprise, a frog. He hopped out cautiously, surveying his surroundings; we kept silent to not disturb his journey.

But then, he made an inexcusable leap into our garden pot filled with thyme and perched there looking for bugs on the ground below. I remembered the many times I had picked the herb to cook a sumptuous meal, only briefly rinsing it, thinking that nothing harmful could ascend the pot.

As I tried to digest this, several more little hoppers emerged from underground to explore and eat. They were enchanting to watch but my stomach roiled over the potential consequences from taking in food tainted by unknown contagions. I was grateful that we had not become ill. Darkness and shadows had exposed the health hazard and we made plans to raise the pot off the ground.

The cooing of the doves ceased, the chickens stopped scratching, leaving only the wind and the crickets to harmonize. We lifted our sore, tired legs up the stairs to go inside, content with the joys and aware of the dangers the night had uncovered.

We left the night garden, but the Presence made the climb up the stairs with us. Darkness had uncovered danger and peace. Peace prevailed.

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