LULLABY

by William Aarnes

“Lullaby,” lithograph by Henry Moore (1973) via Henry Moore Foundation collection.

for Hale 

 

Sleep, child; we hope       

you stay unharmed 

while you grow wise, 

while you grow wise.   

 

Your mother hopes 

you stay unharmed 

though forests burn    

and oceans rise.            

                                      

Your father hopes 

you stay unharmed 

though despots rule 

with goons and lies.    

 

Your parents hope 

you stay unharmed  

though wars drag on

with drone-filled skies 

 

Sleep, child; we hope 

we stay unharmed  

till you’ve grown wise, 

till you’ve grown wise. 

William Aarnes lives in New York.