I tried to think of another way

To help you go to sleep

We’d read a book and sung a song 

And counted all your sheep

And then we read another book

And sang another song

And you wanted a glass of water

And wanted to come along

And when I poured the water wrong

You SCREAMED and told me why

Two pieces of ice were the acceptable way

To prevent your impending cry

You wanted your blanket, the pink, not the blue

You wanted your baby doll

You wanted your bear with the bunny ears

You wanted the light in the hall

You wanted to sing just one more song

After “Rainbow” and “Stay awake”

You wanted a hug and kiss AND A HUG 

You wanted a piece of cake

When I told you “no,” you cried and kicked

Oh no, not this. No more!

I placed you screaming in your bed 

And sprinted for the door.  

“DADDY NO!” you cried out to me

While leaping from your bed

As you slipped, and tripped, and slammed the top 

Of your tiny little head

My impatience vanished. My frustration gone

When I heard the thump and your cry

I rushed to your side, pulled your head to my chest

And kissed your swelling eye

And in a bit, when you were over it

And your stuttered sobs collected

The weeps crept away and you ended your day

Curled up in my arms, protected

Sometimes it’s rough keeping up with your moods

Sometimes I don’t know if I’ll make it

Sometimes it takes an hour to put you to bed

Sometimes I just have to fake it

But

Sometimes  you’re staring into my eyes

As I finish the verse of a song

And sometimes you’re tracking the words on the page

And I know that you’re reading along

And

Sometimes, not always, you fall asleep in my arms

And even on the nights that are bad

There’s nothing on earth that brings me more joy

Than knowing that I am your dad. 

I love you. Good night.