Asleep we lay, the family all in bed;
My wife with stealth slides out to leave the room;
Our youngest stirs, her hair a weaver’s broom,
Once coos, contorts her face, and turns her head.
~
I knew this nap was too infirm to keep.
~
The spell’s been broken now, the fragile charm
Is lifting; soon the house will be awake,
Think I, till older sister (still so young) she takes
The baby’s hand and snoozes the alarm.
~
She’s done it! Now the babe is back asleep.
~
Two babies holding hands, the pleading tone,
“Don’t wake up yet, my baby,” th’ older sighs,
A perfect scene. Alas, I realize
I shouldn’t stir them up to reach my phone.
~
The recent movement; her slumber can’t be deep.
~
And so, I smile, the moment just for me;
It’s writ in sand, a bubble in a stream,
No way to share it with the world, it’d seem;
Some seconds more the scene I oversee.
~
Til o’er me slumber might resume its creep.
~
My simple bed, the kids, the common room,
Alit that afternoon in majesty,
And I, a common guy, think haughtily,
Alone have witnessed it. So I presume.
~
Alone have I a heart to beat and leap.