I wash her hair
for her.

She loves the ritual
of suds & lather.

The hide & seek
of boo & peep!

I shape different shapes
build up swans & castles upon her head

show her my creations
laugh at her laughter.

Heap hats
upon her

crown her
call her

“My little princess! ”
(so she is) .

Tells me
when I rinse

all her “sad sad thoughts”
just float away.

I am sad that she has
“sad sad thoughts.”

I give her an extra rinse
until there isn’t a sud to be seen!

I leave a moon
in the middle window pane

to mind her

Ask stars
to guard her.

Tiptoe away
as still she calls

my name
in sleep.

Dónall Dempsey

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-name-in-sleep-birthday-poem-for-helen/