Sleep Training

[Chagit]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Sleep Training Journal:</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Entry #1</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>My little one’s cries,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Bounce off the walls.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>My heart bleeds,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>As he pleads–</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>And I ignore his calls.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Motherly instinct dictates,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Pick him up and hold him close.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>I quell that feeling,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>My mind is reeling–</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Is it too much of a tough love dose?</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>I walk in and pat his head,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>“Mommy is here,” I say.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>His eyes look doleful,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>He’s screaming and soulful–</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>But I leave the room anyway.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>I am filled with doubts,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Am I doing what’s right?</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Yes or no,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Which way do I go–</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Oh, let him learn, that night is night.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>He doesn’t give up,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>His voice is still going strong.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Cries escalating,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Unending, frustrating—</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>And I am left to cry along.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>But finally there is silence,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>My baby breathing soundly asleep.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>I pray fast,</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Hope it will last—</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>And I tiptoe to bed without a peep.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Sleep Training Journal</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Entry #2</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>The cries from my baby’s room</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Leave me to think and to ponder</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>The meaning of true love</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>And I’m beginning to wonder…</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Is this what Hashem feels like</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Each time he puts us through pain</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>That although we don’t know it</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>It’s all for our gain</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Is this what the world</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Is all about</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>That our loving Father cringes</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Each time that we shout</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Is He waiting behind the door</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Joining in our tears</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>As He’s forced to shut the lights</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Although He really cares</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Does His Fatherly love overshadow</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>The pity for our fleeting fall</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Is He forced to leave us crying</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Although to Him we call</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Is this all for a Higher Purpose</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Of a sleep that brings a brighter tomorrow</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Are our screams piercing the heavens</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>And causing our Father endless sorrow</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>But perhaps now as we compare</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>We can finally know and comprehend</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>That the reason for our discomfort</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Is for our own good in the end</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Sleep training journal</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Entry #3</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>I thought he would learn</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>By day number three</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>That bedtime is bedtime</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>And he’d go to sleep quietly</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>But lo and behold!</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>He seemed upset once again</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>When I tucked him into his crib</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>At a quarter to ten</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Tears rolled down his cheeks</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>He wanted to be taken out</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>When he saw me leave the room</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>He started to shout</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>By now I was ready</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>His cries to ignore</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>I just wanted to know</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>How many nights more</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>But before too long</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>His cries subsided</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>To head off to dreamland</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>He must have decided</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>I checked my watch</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>And noted in surprise</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Seventeen minutes</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Was the total of his cries</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>He must have learned something</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>By day number three</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>That bedtime is bedtime</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>And he fell asleep quite quickly</p>

[Anagrammer]

Chaya, I love it! Especially the rhyme scene in Entry #1. And the powerful message of Entry #2. And how you ended off with Entry #3, that pleasant surprise of “it’s working!” I love your writing style, candid and reflective.

Hatzlacha with the sleep training!

[Esther]

So good!  You’re a really talented poet!

I love the structure of 1#, and that you used a dif structure for 2# & 3#.  Adds interest.

The 2nd entry literally gave me shivers, totally unexpected and so moving.

And the ending was really sweet, leaves the reader with a warm feeling.  Also I like how the one about Hashem is in the middle, so as you read the last you can have that in mind and it ties both parts together.

I can’t wait to see more, and hope I learn something from you…

[Esther]

Also loved how you broke it up with the Entry titles.  Very original.

[Leahle]

Oh my goodness! I looooove that poem!!!!!!

so much truth hidden in it and soooo well expressed!

Go chagit!!!

[Sury]

This is such a beautiful poem, Chagit!

I love your poetry style! Entry #2 was also a goose-bumpy experience to read – such a powerful, REAL message.

I want mooorree 😉

[Anagrammer]

Oops, I meant Chagit. How do you edit?

[Chagit]

Thanks all for the positive feedback!

Was quite shy to share, but it was definitely worthwhile;)

 

(Anagrammer- no need to worry, I sometimes go by the name Chaya as well)

[Fayge Y.]

I’d love to send this to a relative who’s sleep training her baby.  But not till you’re ready.

[Chagit]

Fayge Y, you are welcome to forward this…

[Chaya F.]

Chagit, this poem is truly a masterpiece! You get credit for changing the rhythm which gives the poem alot of oomph – the beautiful heartfelt content and the amazing choice of words. The message really touched me. I would lv to show this further- with your permission of course.

This poem carries so much charm.  Please share more!

[Chagit]

Chaya F, thank you for your feedback!

You are welcome to share this poem with anyone that could benefit from it…