While They Sleep

We watch them with swollen hearts
transfixed by purity of the just arrived.
We wish them lives full of flight
So we tie them to the nearest disguise,
and resolve ourselves to hold them tight.

While they sleep we whisper in their ears
believe like me, and you’ll know no fears
Don’t knock or unbalance what is here
Tradition will keep everything clear.

When they wake we wash them clean,
We love them more and ask their dream.
With secret hopes our words are heard
and they will be a child of our god
without too much more than this silent prod.