Ode to My Bed

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This isn’t a place
I want to go—
It’s where I’m put
Or sent
Before I’m ready,
When I’m too busy
To stop my game and say good-bye
To the day.
I’m scared when I’m here
Alone
With my ears hearing
Sounds
All around me,
My thoughts thinking
What might be making
Those noises.
I pull my blue blanket,
My old blue blanket,
Up over my head,
Over Armadillo and One-Eyed Gorilla,
Little Blue Ostrich and Theo the Bear,
And there in our tent we tell stories,
Until our whispers
Turn
Into
Tomorrow.

10 replies
  1. Bridget Magee
    Bridget Magee says:

    You’ve captured that childhood feeling of dreading bedtime – the noises, the fear – but also the safety of the blue blanket tenting the child with their stuffed animals with their private conversations. I especially love the line, “Until our whispers turn into tomorrow.” Fabulous poem, Liz! =)

    Reply
  2. Myra GB
    Myra GB says:

    This poem just reminds me never to take my bed for granted – my quilt, the covers, the fresh sheets. Much deserved ode to your bed indeed. 🙂
    My favorite lines from your poem:
    “And there in our tent we tell stories,
    Until our whispers
    Turn
    Into
    Tomorrow.”
    🙂

    Reply
  3. Tabatha
    Tabatha says:

    When I saw on TeacherDance that you had an ode to your bed, I was expecting a love poem 🙂 I guess that’s just how I feel about my bed… I love your poem, though! Very believable.

    Reply
  4. Linda Baie
    Linda Baie says:

    Since I am now having an almost four year old granddaughter for sleepovers, I know about this time all over again, Liz. You’ve captured the feelings so well, & this time, in my new house, she & I have had lots of conversations about the noises especially. The ending, as others have said, is beautiful: “until our whispers turn into tomorrow” Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Laura Shovan
    Laura Shovan says:

    I love the rhythm and mood of the poem’s close, Liz. When my kids were little, I always found it funny that they resisted being sent to their rooms or going to bed for the night. As Mom, a quiet bed was the thing I wanted most in the world!

    Reply

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