For Raphael

Birdsong Lullaby by Diane Stanley

"Mommy?" asked the little boy.
"Yes," his mother said.
"I was thinking..."
"What were you thinking, darling?"
"If I were a bird..."

"...if I were a bird,
I could fly anywhere I wanted
and see such wonderful things!"

"Really? What would you like to see?"

"If I were a bird, I could sit on people's windowsills
and peek inside their houses."

"That's right. You could."

"I could play in our birdbath."
"And I'd bring you sunflower seeds to eat."
"No, cake!"
"All right then, cake."

"If I were a bird,
I could look down into people's backyards..."

"I could catch all the lost balloons and give them back to children."

"What a pretty idea!"

"If I were a bird, I could see what kind of pajamas kings wear."

"When it got cold,
I could go to Brazil
and live in a tree full of monkeys."

"And you'd tuck your head
under your wing to sleep."

"In the summer,
I'd fly to the seashore
and play with the waves."

"Or look down
over mountain lakes
and see my reflection."

"If I were a bird,
I could soar through the air,
then land gently
and not hurt myself at all
I could float on the wind
and touch the clouds!"

"And Mommy - I could fly right into a rainbow
and come out full of colours..."

"Maybe you'll dream about it tonight."
"You think so, Mommy?"
"And it will seem so real..."
"It will be real!"
"Yes, darling."
"Mommy..."
"Shhh, go to sleep."
"Mommy?"
"What, darling?"
"Leave my window open tonight..."

**********************

If I were a bird ...
I will go wherever you go,
My little prince,
To watch over you,
And guide your every little step,
Letting you know
That you are loved.....
Every single second of the day.
I love you.....

If you were a bird....
Would you fly back to me....
My little prince.

I will wait till you have
wings to fly
No matter how long it takes
My arms will be open wide
To welcome you back...
For you are the reason
Of my Existance....
I will wait years for you.....