Confessing to the Stars -- Part II

I awake.  
The stars fell asleep too, 
their eyes still closed, tucked away
neatly into their heavenly thrones.
My confessions kept them up all night,
but now they sleep--
knowing their patient has been treated,
healed.  And the sun leads me
down the hill into the green fields
where squirrels stand to whisper
to each other: "there goes the one
who talks to the stars," not knowing
that the stars talk back.  But the trees know--
they rustle their leaves as I pass,
fanning my face.  And the tulips know too--
they open wide and cheer me on,
"Be thou clean!"
And I hear them, straighten my shoulders
and lift my chin, breathing
in the love of God.