story-books and lullabies

hush, my baby, don’t you cry

all the pretty little horses–

lids fall, lashes long

soft breaths, gentle-strong.

up too early?

too darn bad, it’s back to sleep.

mommy needs

her sanity.

hold my breath, afraid to gulp

the second phase is harder earned

ten minutes on tip-toes

climbing moves, grasping doorframes

avoid the squeaks in the old-wood floors

ah, peace, safe downstairs

for another fifteen minutes.