Put to bed haiku

A plush nest: Lion, bear, giraffe
Holding safe
a young boy’s dream

We have a long ritual: bath, teeth, stories, darkness, back scratch. Mom has to do a few minutes of computer (the tap, tap is important). Dad plays the piano. Slowly my young one feels safe to sleep again. If I turn off the light too early, stop the tap tap too soon, then he awakens disturbed and we begin again. Eventually I turn to my own toiletry rituals, reading until the eyes blur. Listening to Jay now tap taping one keyboard or another. Gently lulled into surrender and sleep.

This is the best part of life: the simple put-to-beds, snuggling with a freshly washed child in the summertime, the smell and touch of the warm air. I am grateful for the abundance of this, the best part of life.