"Nursery Vigil"
Under the still white light of night
I lay listening for your friendly rap
While my heart dives in and out of the sea
Where the berry bushes are twinkling in dew
And the roses nod off to sleep
They are too perfect and soft to understand
And for that they are blessed
The Nutcracker struggles to defend the house
Against darkness of all sort
It troubles him, the coming in and out
And the heaving and moving of some great destiny
But in his eyes there is great courage
And also as they say he is very little
The nutcracker is what a soldier should be
Defending the keep of his loved ones
All lonely vigil he solemnly keeps
No dropping of his sword
He protects me from things that sweep about
I know I'll always be safe here
And on the shelves, the lonely, dusty shelves
A story is now unfolding
Of a castle that lays beyond the clouds
Awaiting our arrival home
Or the lady that never gets asked to dance
Yet she is still suspended in happiness
The baby bunnies guarding the easter eggs
Or the lambs or teddies or ponies
Your dinner is waiting for you to come home
And brush the snow from the stoop
You've been out working for so long
You probably want to sleep
The boy in his blue breeches and little cap
Or the pink pony with the oceany blue mane
The bay pony with the saddle and bridle
And the appaloosa with his soft brown spots
Little fireplace is a hearth for your feet
And I'm waiting for your arrival
The jewelry doesn't look good on me
Because my hair is been shorn
But if it grows, you'll have me, a fine lady
To nibble dinner alongside you
We'll chomp and grin and throw our toys
With a yell because we're home
In Jesus' Name,
Amen