I am exhausted in the afternoon

having tended to my son’s

every inspiration

since 6 am

sliced apples without skin

glued robots from paper towel tubes

sailed backyard pirate ships

swept clean muddy rain boot tracks

now after quiet time

I begin again to tend

slicing off crusts

cooling scraped palms

cutting colored paper moons

soothing tired fits

Into the evening

I will keep tending

I will dry his tender body after bath

I will tuck him into fresh pajamas and soft blankets

I will stay until he falls asleep

and continue as he dreams

***