A day, what a day, my lady dear,

as you face those demons that chew your mind.

We guard your door, your life, your love,

yet we never know where you are in time.

You started early, your job of sleep,

and breathed so deeply that we knew your peace.

Still, stirring from time to time, smoothing covers,

Till finally your body pushed you and your sleep did cease.

When I took your hand in mine to lead,

your eyes as big as saucers grew.

We danced slowly shuffling our steps

and when you sat and looked, away your cloud flew.

You knew me and you smiled and you winked;

my name you knew and how much we share.

You almost stayed up and talked with me,

but it tired you out no matter how I cared.

You slept again, the new medicines adjusting,

to soothe your poor and shrinking brain.

As long as your slumbers are deep and resting

you aren’t struggling with the hell of pain.

Up again as the day wore on,

more alert and thinking and knowing love.

You sat enrapt with Vienna’s songs

until sleep once more handed you its glove.

We tiptoed back to your womb-like room,

and I tucked you in and smoothed your sheets.

You sank deep in your pillow and I hoped

that you were swiftly dreaming of sugarplums and sweets.

But, no, the battle for your mind had begun,

in earnest now the fight didn’t lack.

You called screaming, something you never do,

as monsters were chewing and twisting your back.

We tried, your two ladies who care for you so,

to staunch the agony, the pain.

You cried and cried out and writhed with the hurt

and the cold that covered  you like sheets of rain.

At last you slept and we crept away

to wait and watch for what more.

We knew the foray was not yet complete

and we watched for the sign to again rush your door.

You awoke — big eyed you stared at monsters only you see.

They terrify you with the threats only  your ears hear.

I hurried to hold you and wrap you in safety,

and you cried and shook in terror and fear.

“They are going to kill me!” you cried out rawly.

“They have taken all my power away!”

“NO!” I told her, stroking her brow.

“Yes, don’t leave me, please! Stay!”

We saddled our dream steeds, buckled on our helmets.

We snapped down our visors, our lances fiercely sharp.

We rode down those monsters with our thundering hooves

pounding rhythms along with the pipes and the harps.

It took so long to shower safety on you

deep enough for  you to feel it there,

for you to know and to KNOW that you were never alone

facing monsters of horror or silent voices in air.

Your crying slipped away and calm smoothed our face

as we smoothed your sheets and blankets in calm.

Deep breathing came again to rest your tired mind.

Safe we’d made you, and free from harm.

Goodnight, my Lady,

and slumber away,

We guard you past midnight

through break of day.

And thereafter

and always

forever we are

your ladies,  your gallants,

your savers from dark.

Pop, we try so hard to take good care of your ‘gal’.