I hold a baby, cloase and snuggled close to my warm body. Protectively as i stare out a glass sliding door, my eyes glare, slicingly over each tree, rock and glade of grass. disecting each shadow wiht my keen eyes. Watching for him, watching for something to emerge from its deep threatening crevices. the moon tingles my skin, as i hold the sleeping infant tighter to me. feeling its pull, its ever so strong call. i look down into the small face caressed by blankets. so small and defensless, needing. Tears are wanting to find there way into my eyes, but i dont let them. i am hearing twigs snapping underfoot suddenly, making me jump. somewhere deep in the trees something makes its or his way towards us. my head snaps up and i gather my baby closer to my chest, my eyes searching the threatening darkness. i am reading to fight, for mine and my baby's life. for no harm to come to the delcate little child in my arms. more foot steps, getting closer in the darkness. but it is just one pair of foot steps, and they are far away.
        
     i stand ready though. no scent can drigt to me for glass stands in my way. i do not dare open it, for it i do i will want to run off into the night. and leave my baby unprotectedd? no i think not. i dare not do that. i stand ready. a mother wolf protecting her pup. i growl lowly. to soft, i hope, for the babys tiny ears. i am hearing the foot stteps drawing closer. no more then 30 feet away in the thinck dark trees. a shadowed, dark, seliotte glides threw the dark, toward the house. i take a small step back, pausing before moving the other foot.

   the moonlight cathces his face, and i relax. as he makes his way to the porch, opening the slidin glass door. the forest scent flows in, catching in my nostrils an i whine silently in the back of my mind, looking down, my eyes rest on the small baby and the erge fanishes. his small face chasing away my thoughts of running threw the trees. he pulla me an the baby into his arms. ever so gently.

       the baby is now between our two bodies. safe. completly safe. he kisses my lips softly, he smells of the forest and of running, i ache to go with him. but i think of our baby. and i smile thinking soon. and the dream ends.

             jackie 7.1.09