Nightly Duet

At night
When all is still
Except for crickets
And a gentle breeze
There are two other sounds I hear
One that gives me a chill
And one that sets my mind at ease
Both are almost cousins, so to speak,
Or friends, yet the emotions they evoke
Are at opposite ends
One sound is that of a purring cat
Deep and rhythmic, the very definition of contentment
A lullaby to cuddle to
The other is my husband snoring
Loud, gaspy, raspy
A noise to set my nerves askew
So there I lie
Cat on my stomach
Husband at my side
Engaged in a rumbling duet
Leaving me to wonder why it's so easy to abide
One sound and not the other
When one is my wedded spouse
The other just a pet?

—by Sorrel Vaughn