My Boys...

Sitting between them

on the sofa,

I read aloud

from their favorite books.

It's been a full day

for two tired boys,

and their little heads, heavy with sleep,

lean against my shoulders.

The story is only

halfway read,

when I know they both

have slipped away

to their dreaming place.

But I keep my voice low

and continue to read.

Should one or the other

partially wake,

as sometimes happens

when sleep is new,

I want them to think

that nothing's changed

in their little world,

so they'll feel safe.

Or maybe I just want

to lengthen the stay

of two small heads

leaning on me,

while I pretend

my world, too,

hasn't changed.

~Rae Turnbull