Remember Mother

Now I lay me down to sleep Mother prodded bedtimes as I lay nodding finger twirls of small hair lock donuts until I spoke them myself we prayed together eye to eye heart to heart two to God I learned the words first afraid awed so she would whisper-sing Hush little baby don’t you cry I learned prayed alone prayers of desperate pleas earnest assurance devotion we old age smiles mother’s comfort taught learned I pray acceptance peace Now I lay me down to sleep