from Selected Poems

When worries start to settle 

with the dusk upon your shoulders

Or swirl between the shadows

and the fading evening light

If they flicker just beyond the edge of

each page as you turn it

But when you try to grasp them

they scurry out of sight

When they whisper, whisper, whisper

wild predictions in your ears

Of calamities and chaos

and the disasters we all fear

If they tangle up your sheets

just to snigger as you thrash

Or they dance across your skin

leaving their footprints like a rash

It’s a part of growing up, my love,

when you start to realise 

There are things to do, that must be done,

that can’t be compromised

And though it sometimes feels too much

to do what you must do

Without you even noticing

your skills are growing too

Now, those cheeky little worries

are insistent little pests

They’ll still sneak in amongst your doubts

when you’re about to rest

And their chatter might convince you

that you can only fail

Or that you’re a fool to even think

your efforts could prevail 

They cause their mighty ruckus 

to be sure that you’ll take heed

But you can calm and quiet them

by stepping up to take the lead

You need only recognise them,

Acknowledge what they’ve said

Then hum a little lullaby 

as you tuck them into bed

So leave them be now, close your eyes

Let any tension go

Let your mind meander

Let your breathing slow

Farewell the night’s uncertainty 

and farewell the busy day

For the ship that sails for Dreamland

is bobbing gently in the bay

The stars will watch you tenderly

like they so often have before 

As you cross the leagues of silky seas

toward that sleepy shore

There’s nothing more to do but

snuggle in and dim the lights

You’ve earned your rest; it’s time for sleep

So sleep well, my love, Good Night         BACK TO POEMS