As Long As You Like

A little girl asked her mommy if she would lay down with her at bedtime. The mommy said,

"Yes."

The little girl asked,
"How long will you stay?"

The mommy answered,

As long as you like.
I will stay here 'til morning.
I will stay here all night.
I will stay while moon shines
Or the sun shines bright.

I will stay through the darkness.
I will stay 'til the light.

"Mommy, are you still here?"

I'm still here.
I'm not going.
I really don't mind.
I have nothing better to do.
I have nothing to find. . .

Nothing I haven't found already
Nothing as important as you.
No, little darling,
I'm right here with you.

"Mommy, I'm sleepy."

Then just close your eyes.
When you wake in the morning
I'll be the first thing you'll see.
I may be sleeping,
But right here I will be.

"Just a few more minutes?"

No, many more.
A few is too little.
I like it here too.
I'm sorry you thought
Just a few more would do.

I hope you don't think that.
I hope that you know
That when I'm here beside you
I don't want to go.

I'm happy you invited me into your nest.
Into your heart, its the bestest of best.

You've the coziest bed.
Its a bundle of blankets.
It's a forest of bears.
It's a pile of pillows
Its a good place to share . . .

All the things that you're thinking
That might have never been said.
Its a good place for rhyming
And bowing your head.

"Good night, mommy."

Good night.
Now I know you are sleeping.
You won't hear what I say,
But I'll whisper it to you anyway.

I'm stroking your hair.
Its the smoothest of smooth.
And I feel your heart beating
As I hardly dare move.

But as my arms are around you
And I feel your soft breath
I'm so grateful I stayed
And snuggled in bed.

How long will I stay?
For as long as you like.
I will stay here 'til morning.
I will stay here all night.

Elisa often asks me to lay down with her for a few minutes when I tuck her in bed. One night I felt she thought I was in a bit of a hurry to leave. I decided to stay and I am so glad I did. The quotes of "the little girl" are exactly what Elisa said. :) I made sure I remembered them carefully. We layed there laughing and rhyming and much of what is in the poem comes straight from our little conversation. After she fell asleep I just prayed that she would know how much I love to be with her and that I am in no hurry to leave.