My Name in Sleep (Birthday poem for Helen)
I wash her hair
for her.
She loves the ritual
of suds & lather.
The hide & seek
of boo & peep!
I shape different shapes
build up swans & castles upon her head
show her my creations
laugh at her laughter.
Heap hats
upon her
crown her
call her
“My little princess! ”
(so she is) .
Tells me
when I rinse
all her “sad sad thoughts”
just float away.
I am sad that she has
“sad sad thoughts.”
I give her an extra rinse
until there isn’t a sud to be seen!
I leave a moon
in the middle window pane
to mind her
Ask stars
to guard her.
Tiptoe away
as still she calls
my name
in sleep.
poem by Dónall Dempsey
Added by Poetry Lover
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