I wash her hair <br />for her. <br /> <br />She loves the ritual <br />of suds & lather. <br /> <br />The hide & seek <br />of boo & peep! <br /> <br />I shape different shapes <br />build up swans & castles upon her head <br /> <br />show her my creations <br />laugh at her laughter. <br /> <br />Heap hats <br />upon her <br /> <br />crown her <br />call her <br /> <br />“My little princess! ” <br />(so she is) . <br /> <br />Tells me <br />when I rinse <br /> <br />all her “sad sad thoughts” <br />just float away. <br /> <br />I am sad that she has <br />“sad sad thoughts.” <br /> <br />I give her an extra rinse <br />until there isn’t a sud to be seen! <br /> <br />I leave a moon <br />in the middle window pane <br /> <br />to mind her <br /> <br />Ask stars <br />to guard her. <br /> <br />Tiptoe away <br />as still she calls <br /> <br />my name <br />in sleep.<br /><br />Dónall Dempsey<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-name-in-sleep-birthday-poem-for-helen/
