I have sung all the lullabies I know. I have told and re-told his favorite stories. My voice is tired, my eyelids droop, and still, my toddler wiggles and squiggles in my arms. He would not sleep. I pray a silent prayer, he pokes my lips driving his little finger against my teeth. My disapproving grunt is met with his victorious giggles. Then he covers my cheeks with kisses. “I love you, Mommy,” he says. “I love you, too, Son. Now go to sleep,” In the dark, I wait for him to settle down while I plan for what is left of the night.
November showers
moon behind the clouds – thawing
in the breath of spring
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Hello. I am guest-hosting DVerse’s Haibun Monday. The theme this week is “Waiting”. I invite you to write your open response to the prompt and share your work with us and/or read the offerings of the community. I am sure there will be one or two or more that you will enjoy. 🙂
MY WALL 
tender and intimate and very beautiful this is
marvelous prompt today Imelda, so glad to see you hosting! ah i recall those nights when they are so wide awake and i am so sleepy and then the Mama kisses that melt me. am sure your heart thawed too like in your haiku. wonderful write!
So sweet and completely familiar: firstly with my daughter all those years ago and last week with my grandson, who isn’t quite nine months old. He is actually very good for going to bed.
Sounds like lots of love around you, Imelda. That is something that is priceless 🙂 Lovely haiku. It has a bit of cold but still a bit of warmth to it. Here in Australia it is almost summer but the weather has been still thawing out. Lovely to hear you hosting over there on Dverse Poets. You work is wonderful, and reaches and touches so many 🙂
Perfectly paced and beautiful, I agree with Miz Jade 🙂, the intimacy is wonderful. A mix of joy and trepidation, I read it ensconced in my own insomnia, I untempered by the joy of offspring, but excited for my own big day, made me smile. The haiku traces from heaven to Home, the moon is giggling I think
The cold moon thawing in that warmth you breathe. Lovely.
A beautiful gentle post
A beautiful haibun from beginning to end. “Wiggles and squiggles” made me smile.
Sweet vignette
A mother’s job is never ending, smiles. Love the waiting for the child to sleep and tender exchange of love. I can’t wait for that breath of spring.
Thank you for hosting Imelda.
Beautiful!
Nice one Imelda, I love it.
Oh how this brought back memories – sweet and frustrating times.
Nice description, very vivid. I also liked the photograph with the snow or rain, darkness and lights in the background.
A wonderful scene… and though I have no children of my own my first real memories are being a toddler like that.
Beautiful prose and poem. Such a tender moment. I remember those days well–the being so tired and wanting the child to sleep mixed with the love. And then when they get older, there’s the waiting for them to get home. 🙂
So tender, all the mothering happening in November rain.
I am late to get around reading the haibuns Imelda, but I really like what you’ve written! But sometimes holding them is glorious…
such a sweet sweet prose and the haiku create a different depth. so so good.