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
