Janet Jerve: "Evening Vespers"

I cross the doorway to his room,
tell him it’s time for bed.
My son, only three,
is losing his buddha belly
and he is not listening to me.

He sees beyond my face,
finds comfort in his universe.
From his covers he chants:
I love myself, I like myself,
I love myself, I like myself.

I surrender to the teacher
with turtle blanket and mantra.



"Evening Vespers" by Janet Jerve. Text as published in Excavation (North Star Press, 2013). Presented here by poet submission.

Art credit: "Toddler playing on bed," photograph by Lauren Mitchell.