For My Daughter

I wanted to bring her a chalice

or maybe a cup of love

or cool water   I wanted to sit

beside her as she rested

after the long day   I wanted to adjure

commend   admonish   saying don’t

do that   of course   wonderful   try

I wanted to help her grow old   I wanted

to say last words   the words famous

for final enlightenment   I wanted

to say them now   in case I am in

calm sleep when the last sleep strikes

or aged into disorder   I wanted to

bring her a cup of cool water

I wanted to explain   tiredness is

expected   it is even appropriate

at the end of the day