on(ly)e night

dearest,

won't you
sleep with me for a night
before you say
good bye.

just so that
i can tell you a bedtime story,
and sing you a lullaby.
and for once,
i can kiss your forehead
on wishing you goodnight.

for one night,
so i wouldn't need to pray
to keep my nightmares away
so i wouldn't need
a crumpled pillow
to hug.

to pull the blanket over you
and stay awake all night
to watch you sleep
peacefully
in the dull glow of moonlight

to have
the sound of your breath
the knowledge of your being
to comfort me
in the eerie silence of midnight

to love you all night
and when the dawn breaks
to have your face
be the first thing to fill my eyes
one first
and last time.

dearest,
before you say good bye,
won't you
sleep with me for a night?


(image courtesy : gaya )