“Now I lay me down to sleep…”
I recited as prayer, imploring the night.

Sixty years have passed in cool water
slow movement beneath the River Bridge
as now I turn out my bedside lamp
no longer reciting my plea of childhood faith
asking God to take my soul in its nights death.

Still, I then slept through the dark hours
waking with the morning light, undisturbed
despite wind shaking the tall cedars,
creaking in the walls or even the calls
of monsters under my bed patiently waiting.

Perhaps if I say this child’s prayer tonight
as I lay me down to sleep
I’ll sleep his sleep until morning light
awakens me and not open my eyes
to darkness and still silent hours.

---

Portland, Oregon – March 14, 2017

This is “inspired” by a common prayer for children:  “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” It the version I said with my mother.