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