the stars came out quietly tonight. i watched them all wake up, one at a time, getting brighter as the dusky turquoise on the horizon faded to inky blue above my head. they'll dance up there all night, while i sleep, unaware. they'd still dance, even if nobody noticed. it's all so extravagant. laying on the porch, listening to kathryn's acoustic magic and watching the sky twinkle, i could hardly keep from laughing out loud. this spring has been a long time coming.