I pause at the doorway watching the rise and fall of your chest
a moment of peace as you sleep…

I see these hands so strong and powerful
I remember when they fit so tiny in mine; soft and loving
I remember the pictures they drew and cards they wrote
the flowers they carried to me so small and sweet
Now these hands trade dust for dollars
Now these hands take more than they give
Now the hands that once caught my kisses
clench into fists and clasp cold steel

I see these lips so set and frowned
I remember when they fed at my breast
and kissed my cheek
I remember the songs they whistled and sang
I remember the smile that lit up my heart
Now these lips spew curses and threats
Now those soft petals
have turned cold and hard
Now these lips keep deadly secrets
no room for kisses sweet

I see these eyes so deep and distant
I remember when their tears I would dry
I remember when their light would shine–
when I could find you in them
Now these eyes have seen too much
but no tears can shed
Now these eyes are cold and dark
and stare right through me
Now these eyes are empty
and only your echo lingers there

I see the curve and swirl of your ear
the lines I used to trace to lull you to sleep
I see this nose–with freckles scattered–
that used to burrow into roses sweet
I see this brow that used to dance
with wonder and curiosity
I see these feet that used to run
swift into my arms and dance silly down the hall
I see this cheek once soft and smooth
with that one irresistible dimple when you laughed

You have fallen asleep on this couch again
a brief pause before disappearing
into dark
into danger
now you are this man
so steeled against the world
and yet you are my
very flesh
so breakable, I fear
with wounds too deep for me to tend
or kiss away

Sleep sweet
my son
dream not of the world
on which you’ve closed these lids
Sleep sweet
my son
linger in this respite
from all that haunts and hardens
Sleep sweet
my son
Que sueñes con los angelitos