A Hymn Ready for Morning

Resting my fingers along the smooth, cool oak of the sacristy table, I found an open antique hymnal left near the arched window embrasure. Remembering your wish for an Ave Maria when morning breaks, I turned the heavy vellum leaves with both hands until the quiet Latin verses lay flat beneath the soft moonlight. Beside the stand, an unlit miniature beeswax taper sat in a low brass saucer with a stray sprig of dried rosemary tucked against its rim. I smoothed the ribbon marker across the corner of the score and folded my hands, letting the hushed night keep everything ready for our song at dawn.