To My Baby With Love

As I sit here in the dark listening to the creak of the rocking chair

I wonder what you must be thinking cradled in my arms

Everyday when I see you smiling at me and I know you are all right

But when the lights are all out and it is just you and I

I fear that I am doing it all wrong and I ask you out loud

"Are you feeling the love you so richly deserve?"

Even though you cannot really answer me

Some how I find reassurance in your nonsense reply

Contently I smile to myself and continue to rock silently back and forth

Unfortunately as the seconds turn into hours

I selfishly long for you to close your eyes

And I find myself holding my breath each time you drift off

In fear that the slightest movement would disturb you

When I am almost sure that you are sound a sleep

I slowly pull my tired and weary body toward the bedroom

I grit my teeth as I lower you to your crib

Praying that you will stay asleep for a little while longer

I tense when you stir as I tuck you in

But you soon quiet down lost in dreamland

With you safely in bed I pause

For a moment to look at you

and I whisper I love you my baby

before I stumble to bed.