As They Sleep

You should watch your children as they sleep
Eyes plunged down to the higher deep
There will be vows to make and vows to keep
In the still air of the room
When the evening’s protesting cries
Have fallen all to lullabies
Oh, I advise you stay awhile
Before you tiptoe away
When the flash of anger has left those cheeks
And you trace the lines where the tears left streaks
And kiss the lids over eyes that seek
All their answers from you
Memories are for them like they are for us
Some loom like mountains, others blow away like dust
Some lodge like splinters still others, like rust
Must be scraped off before you can shine
So sitting here by this bedside
Fumbling for words to entreat the Divine
And render thanks for this blessed life
That has become the reason for mine
You should watch your children as they sleep
Eyes plunged down to the higher deep
There will be vows to make and vows to keep
In the still air of the room
In the still air of the room