I woke to the sound of a heart beating,
strumming in my ears,
the rhythm matching the thump
of the ceiling fan as it invited
the fluttering curtains to dance against
the darkened bedroom window.

The bed was cold except in the center
where I had slept cocooned in
my mother’s ragged quilt;
my leg moved in search of a cooler spot
only to find the furnace-like comfort
of a sleeping cat.
She uttered one low sound before
tucking her head back under her paws.

From the kitchen came the sounds
of the icemaker humming in preparation
of its next icy drop
and I could feel
the vibration of the air conditioner
as it worked to keep the hot, humid night
from seeping into the house.

I plumped my pillows and
snuggled back into the warmth
of my welcoming bed,
closing my eyes to even darker
depths than my room offered.
I smiled as I drifted back to sleep
secure in the awareness being alone
had finally lost its significance.
I was happy once again.