When My Daughters Cannot Sleep by Raymond Sapienza
When My Daughters Cannot Sleep Š Raymond Sapienza 2009
Dedicated To My Granddaughter
On nights when my daughters cannot sleep I tell them "You should try counting sheep.
Count them jumping over your beds From this pasture here, where the grass is all gone To the one over there, where it's luscious and long."
Inevitably one or the other will complain Of not liking sheep or preferring a song. And I, in an effort to return to my book, Will give them a sigh and stern fatherly look And then cross my fingers for one final try:
"How about horses? Horses that fly? Horses that fly and horses that run, Horses that gallivant till morning sun. Bays and Chestnuts, Sorrels and Roans, Grays on pilgrimage far from their homes.
Winged wonders dancing on clouds overhead, Spry ponies prancing in rings 'round your beds.
Leaping and jumping and scampering about, Soaring and glorying!" I've started to shout.
"Foals with their mothers, Stallions and Mares Cavorting and courting and racing in pairs!"
By now the children are laughing with glee, Sleep as far from them as my book is from me,
Singing and dancing a horse-lover's jig, And Mom at the door, her eyes growing big.
So if children asleep in their beds is your goal, Don't mention horses, or ponies, or foals. Stick to sheep counting and calm, quiet songs And your flock will be dreaming - unlike mine Before long.
Parents by Raymond Sapienza
They take their time with little things, With walks and talks and songs to sing; With whispering scary bedtime stories And oiling squeaky dollhouse doors. Important things like the tying of shoestrings And cuddling close during thunder and lightning; A good old horse when it's time to ride; Easy to find when it's time to hide. And always there's the rocking chair, A nickel for every hour there Would make them very wealthy indeed. But their riches are in the laughing faces And beaming little "I Love You" smiles Which make the jobs of Mommy and Daddy The most important of their lives.