Today

Never before had she seen the gate so open.
Never before had she longed so much to return home.
Never before had the warfare been so strong against it.

“Today is the day,” the voice continued,
“not yesterday, and not tomorrow.”

“Today,” she whispered back,
recognizing this was the same patient voice
that has been wooing her for awhile now.

Should she go back to say goodbye?
Or pack some clothes and food, and plan for all the unknowns?

“Today!” a crashing cloud shouted, in the sky high above.

“Today,” chirped a sparrow, in the olive tree nearby.

“Today!” She fiercely echoed, out loud for herself to hear.

So tired of all her fears, and of all her nighttime longings,

She took a deep breath…a big step…

And walked through the gate ~

back to Eden.