Please Lord, Please let him Sleep

I learned at an early age

a lesson from a noisy mistake

I saw one eye open

and knew he was awake

the other eye joined

and tho he spoke not a word

I was warned with a look

never to make a peep

and from that day forward

if ever I slipped

I prayed

Please lord, please let him sleep.

From within his room

like a bear in his den

I could hear grandpa snore

and I would brave a peek

to see his barrel chest

rise and fall

I would push a little further

the slightly open door

and when a hinge would creak

I would freeze and pray

Please lord, please let him sleep.

Don't misunderstand

Grandpa and I were close

and I loved him dear

but I only saw him

through the eyes of a boy

so, to me it wasn't clear

what a hard man he was

and why even when

Grandma would slip

I would stand at her apron

and pray

Please lord, please let him sleep.

As I aged

I began to understand

with a lot of help

from Grandpa

who helped me become a man

and as I watched him grow old

It was no longer fear

but worry beginning to creep

so when in his chair he would slumber

I only wished him rest

and I would silently pray

Please lord, please let him sleep.

When the family all met me

with sorrow on their faces

and they all remained behind

while I went to say goodbye

his barrel chest rose no more

and no noise disturbed him.

I held Grandma

and deep within

her red rimmed eyes

I saw tremendous mourning

as I watched her weep

but I also saw relief

so I held her tight

and from behind

my own red eyes I prayed

Please lord, please let him sleep.