Go to sleep

Babysitting night for me,

a child of four years sits on my knee.

My grandson, Tim, resisting sleep,

who yawns real big and makes no peep,

gets read to for an hour straight,

before I decide it’s getting late.

Tim, my boy, it’s time to sleep.

Your tired eyes you should not keep

from closing tight

to block the light.

Your teeth are brushed, your pj’s on.

“You need to make the monsters gone.”

he whispered with large brown eyes wide.

Closet door is opened up, I look inside.

Just clothes, no monster here, I tried.

“He’s there” he said as though I’d lied.

I’ll fight him off, you get in bed.

Not listening, he took up a broom instead

to banish the monster from his room.

I took his hand and took the broom

and picked him up. Get into bed, I cooed.

“Not yet” he cried and then boo-hooed.

What is it now?

I thought aloud.

“I need my kangaroo from off the couch.

He has this tiny special pouch.”

Sure thing Tim, I’ll get it right away.

You just lay right there...and stay!

I leave the room to get the thing,

and when I’m back he has a string.

Where did you get that? I felt quite tried.

“I left my bed” he then replied

with a forgiving innocence in place,

upon his young and glowing face.

Just get in bed, I nearly cursed.

As I readied myself for the worst.

“Okay” he said.

and got in bed.

I sighed aloud

almost proud.

I’d gotten him to close his eyes.

I closed the door, but no surprise,

“Can I have milk and with a straw?”

He asked for more from his grandpa.

Yes my dear came my feeble reply.

I try and I try and I try, try, try.

It is no use, my job will fail.

My trying is to no avail.

I have a mind to knock him out.

There would not be a cry nor shout.

He will not go quietly,

and I could knock him out so silently,

but I must not for that feels wrong

And I must admit, I’m not that strong.

Oh wait, what is that? Is he asleep?

I cannot hear a single peep.

Oh thank the lord and thank him well.

For a second there, I was in Hell.

Goodnight Tim, my darling dear.

Now I shall go and have a beer.

I babysit (not a grandparent though; just 15 yrs old) and this is a constant struggle. It’s quite comical at times.