rustle and hush

Rhythm, back and forth, back and forth,
rustle and hush, rustle and hush.
I hear the whistle of her bottle as the milk ,
disappears, drips down the side of her mouth.
Sometimes she hums her way to sleep,
much like her brother did,
does.
rustle and hush, rustle and hush.
tonight she is silent.
Only asking for a few strands of my hair
to tangle between her not so chubby anymore toddler fingers.
rustle and hush, rustle and hush.
The air has cooled, we have cranked open the windows
closed the air conditioning down for the day.
tick, tick, tick, teeeeeeee.
the neighbors lawn being watered
cotton wood and oak in the back of my throat
as the
curtains breathe and the lawn is tickled dry
rustle and hush, rustle and hush.
diurnal winds will soon grow still, just as the
feet down the hall who suddenly take flight and make a bump onto the bed,
will settle in to a final book.
rustle and hush, rustle and hush.
light, dim, dark
rustle and hush, rustle and hush.
evening slips into tomorrow
tomorrow slips into tonight
we recite our favorite moments,
kiss foreheads and say, "i love you"
rustle and hush, rustle and hush, rustle and husssssh.