Till You Fell Asleep

You were always there
when I needed you.
On your lap,
slowly back and forth
in Mom Park's rocker.
Reading to me
Till you fell asleep.

You read my books to me so often
I had them memorized by 3.
I would "read" them back to you,
On your lap, slowly back and forth,
in Mom Park's rocker.
Till you fell asleep.

Bragging, to all
to the little old women you sewed for.
Pinning, fitting or
hemming dresses with a whip stitch.
While I would sit there
and "read" to them all.
At the sewing machine.
Till you fell asleep.

The smell of roast beef in the oven.
Unrolling egg noodles like a yo-yo
without the 2nd yo.
Lunchtime around the table.
Eating my third helping of beef and noodles.
Till you fell asleep.

You reading the bible at the kitchen table.
Talking to you, propped up against the doorway.
Talking while you sat in Grandpa's recliner.
Till you fell asleep.

I talked to you again.
In your favorite pink outfit.
Hair perfectly combed,
held in place with bobby pins.
Lying in repose.
While you lay asleep.