Watching You Fall Asleep

I kept the door open just a crack

And a sliver of light fell on you and me,

Sitting in the rocking chair.

Usually I close the door, so I cannot see,

But tonight, as your goodnight lullabies played,

I watched you fall asleep.

 

You held your fox so very tight

And played with its tail at first

Then you rubbed and rubbed

And rubbed your eyes,

And pressed your cheek against my breast

And kicked your feet a little, dangling them over my legs.

We changed positions then

And you snuggled deep in the crook of my arm.

Without a fight you closed your eyes

And gently fell asleep.

 

In this small place, in this small time

I sensed this was your haven.

What could be more right than this—

This utter safety you found in my arms?

Surely I had no better place to be,

No better person to be

Than a mother rocking her peaceful toddler,

Watching her fall asleep.