Age: 3 (4 or 5)

4-Bedtime

After a long day of playing

in the fields

Mirian's mother would bring her inside

do I have to go to bed?

yes, little one

sleep is good for you

Mirian would protest

but Mother would prevail in the end

because a child is always tired at bedtime

though they will never admit it

please, Mother, can't I stay up

a little while longer?

no, Mirian, it's time for bed

she would say firmly

but would stroke her child's cheek

in a bedtime kiss

after that Mirian would calm down

and begin to fall asleep

Much later, Mother came

to Mirian's end of the scoop

I love you

you are the light of my life

she would say

a quiet tone in her thought-speak

then Mother would leave

as quietly as she had come

I love you, too

Mirian would think to herself

but would try not to breathe

or make any sound to let

Mother know she was

still awake