This is a poem I wrote when my son was seven years old.
SLEEPING SON
The moon had arced halfway through the fall night
When the clattering geese woke me from sleep
I turned in the bed to regard the pale light
As the dark delta passed in a fluttering sweep
I padded downstairs to look in on you
And put back the covers thrashed asunder
Even uncovered you glowed like an ember
And the scent of your hair caught me in wonder
Someday you’ll leave to find your place
Your bed will rest with covers smoothed
You’ll follow your heart to a girl’s embrace
And leave this house still and unused
But if I could remember the scent of your hair
And the warmth of your skin on the cheek I kissed
I could summon you back from wherever you wander
And conjure you up out of autumn mist.
