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.