POEM - Singing Lullabies

The middle child

Who always puts on a happy face

Had a hard day

One thing after another

Got a headache

That turned into a migraine

Then she stumbled

And got a bloody nose

All during the course of church

So by the time it was time

To head back home

She was upset

By the time we got home

She was beside herself

I walked in just in time

To hear the blubbering

In full swing

So I scooted her over

Laid down next her

Held her close

In my big old dad arms

And sung the magic song

The one that calms them down

Hush-a-bye, don’t you cry

            Go to sleepy little baa-byy

When you wake, you will have

            All the pretty little horses . . .

Quicker than you’d think

She calmed right down

Was able to return

To rational thought

And a few minutes later

The convulsive breathing stopped

A sad smile returned to her face

But a smile none the less

And the song worked

Like it has all my life

Like a lullaby is meant to