I sit by the creek

I close my eyes

I’m in the round room

She is there

I expect her waves of sadness; her relentless grief

but instead I am hit by a rush of sheer joy

she embraces me

I begin to weep

she is weeping and laughing

we weep and laugh

she brushes my hair from my face

I see my sparkling eyes reflected in her glassy eyes

I ask her to protect us

she promises to do her best

she says to stay in the round room

we will be safe in the room

I understand now

the deepest desire of her heart