Our new Baby, Baby playlist runs the gamut from Bieber, to Bebe, to bébé, with a little lullaby thrown in for good measure. It is our observation that most “Baby” songs are pop tunes with a steady beat. Maybe it’s the word that lends itself to simplicity. Baby: Two syllables, a lot of babbling love.
Baby Songs, Beginnings
First documented by the ancient Babylonians, the lullaby is a message wrapped in a gentle song. Traditional lullabies from around the globe could be frightening, melancholic, or sweet. The story woven in the lullaby might teach a country’s history, or instruct a small child on how to live well, like an advice-column for a new person’s life. Sometimes they provided a way for a mother to voice her concerns. No matter the theme, the gentle rhythm of the lullaby, rooted in love has soothed fussy children to sleep for over 4000 years.
Poetry Prompt
Write a poem in the form of a lullaby. Write it to a child, spouse, friend, or even a pet. Your message can be factual, sweet, or even a bit scary. Choose a pattern of rhythm and let it repeat throughout your poem.
Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s poetry prompt. Here’s part of a recent poem from Richard that we enjoyed:
but the past is a kelpie,
feral as moistened blue,
a ripple in the lake,
in the shallow of your back,
borne on a wedge of moonlight,
where you may drown
in the carelessness of night;
taste it slowly,
then let it go down,
though memory may leave
its language on your tongue
Photo by Bethany King. Creative Commons License via Flickr. Post by Heather Eure.
___________________
Sometimes we feature your poems in Every Day Poems, with your permission of course. Thanks for writing with us!
Browse poets and poems
Browse more writing prompts
- Poetry Prompt: Misunderstood Lion - March 19, 2018
- Animate: Lions & Lambs Poetry Prompt - March 12, 2018
- Poetry Prompt: Behind the Velvet Rope - February 26, 2018
Richard Maxson says
Heather, thanks again for posting my poem. I’ve been in and out of Internet access here in the Ozarks, but what beauty!
I have managed a few short pieces on Twitter to stay in shape. Will be back the end of this week owning a house in the mountains hopefully.
Heather Eure says
A home with a view of the mountains– how wonderful!
I do understand internet quirks. I’m in rural NC and they don’t seem to care about my demands of high-speed and consistency. 🙂
Jon Lewis says
For my youngest son….
Stinky butt boy
Stinky butt boy
Owens very stinky
He’s a stinky stinky stinky butt boy
Stinky butt boy
Stinky butt boy
Owens got a stinky butt…BOY!
Owens my boy
My sweet silly boy
But Owens very stinky
He’s a stinky stinky butt boy
Stinky butt boy
Stinky butt boy
Owens got a stinky butt…BOY!
Heather Eure says
How darling. I have three boys and understand the inspiration for your lullaby. 🙂
Karen Mae Zoccoli says
A Lullaby for a Sweet Child…
here you are
my sweet, sweet child
sent in love
from up above
this blessed one
my sweet, sweet child
dream a dream
my sweet, sweet child
all of me
prays for you
may angels watch
my sweet, sweet child
close your eyes
my sweet, sweet child
little one
rest for awhile
then ever stay
my sweet, sweet child
Heather Eure says
Karen, this is lovely. Just lovely.
Karen Mae Zoccoli says
Hi Heather – thanks for your note. I am new to this site, and have a soft spot for lullabies. Glad you liked it!
Heather Eure says
Hey again, Karen. We selected your poem as a feature in this week’s photo play/poetry prompt post. Your name didn’t include a link to your twitter/facebook/website page, so it’s a simple byline. However, if you have a poetry blog, twitter account, etc you’d like for our readers to check out, just let me know and I can link it. Thanks, and so glad you’re here!
Marcy says
Oh, my little one
How much you’ve
Grown you see.
You take my hand
And understand
How precious you
Are to me.
I’ve held you
Since the day
You were born.
Stayed close by
Your side.
You were always
My Hope, my reason
To get by.
Watched you as you
First smiled.
When that first tooth
Came in.
When there was a
Diaper-rash,
We let Mr. Sun in.
We strolled many
Streets together.
I sang you to sleep.
A delight song,
The lullaby.
You listen with
Delight.
Our Bye, Bye, song
About a Black bird
Was always accepted
with delight.
You laid you head
Upon my shoulder.
We rocked away
Until your poor
Head was heavy,
You were sound
asleep.
Quietly I’d lay
You down on a big
Bed, you were so
Tried with eyes
Closed tight.
The day was filled
With Mr. Sunshine.
We listened to the
Birds sing.
You watched the
Butterflies dance
Without a word.
You wore a hat,
We built a house.
You petted the cat,
And held my hand.
I held your hand too.
You captured my heart,
But I always had yours.
Heather Eure says
Thank you, Marcy. So sweet.
Sharon Riddell says
A Lulaby: by mounumi
Little One
Little one so tiny and new
We’ve been waiting just for you
And now that you’re with us, we want you to know
Little one…….You’re home
There will be time for tears later on
So close your eyes now and sleep ‘til the dawn
Together we’ll travel, together we’ll grow
So Little one….Sleep on
In your heart God’s written a song
All about you and how you belong
And no one can sing it exactly like you
So little one…..Sing on
Your on special dreams are waiting for you
Don’t let the world tell you dreams can’t come true
For you are the weaver of life’s tapestry
So little one….Weave on
Little one so tiny and new
We’ve been waiting just for you
And now that you’re with us, we want you to know
Little one
My little one
Sweet little one…You’re home
Words and music: Sharon Riddell aka mounumi @S.LaPrade Riddell
Donna says
Oh… can we hear it somehow? 🙂
mounumi says
Thanks for asking Donna. I don’t have it in an mp3 format but will check into it.
Donna says
Have you ever heard of soundcould? I first heard of it here at TSP… it’s free, and easy to use… and you might sing a lullaby into it for instance… and post the link here, perhaps, for example? Maybe? Pretty please? 🙂 😉
mounumi says
Donna, Thanks I haven’t heard of soundcloud but I will check it out.
Heather Eure says
Sleep on, sing on, weave on. I like that. Thanks, Sharon.
mounumi says
Heather, thanks so much. Glad you like it. I am new to the site and this was the first prompt. I had just given this to a friend who is expecting her first child as a shower present so it was uppermost in my mind anyway.
Thanks again.
Donna says
I hope no one minds if I share an older lullaby – It came to me as I was holding my infant son over 21 years ago.
Hello, hello baby…
I love you
Yes I do
You know it’s true.
Hello, hello baby
I love you
I’m so glad you’re mine.
I love your little eyes
and your little nose
Your little feet and
Your little toes.
I love your little cheeks
and your little chin
Your little mouth that
Your thumb goes in.
Hello, hello baby…
I love you
Yes I do
You know it’s true.
Hello, hello baby
I love you
I’m so glad you’re mine.
I recorded it on Soundcloud for you – http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fdonna-falcone%2Fhello-hello-baby%2Fs-P7AzN&h=7AQGW-uRW
Heather Eure says
There is no age limit on lullabies. They’re still our bébé’s no matter how big they get, right?
“Your little mouth that your thumb goes in.” Oh my heart. Your lullaby is just precious. Thank you for sharing it.
Donna says
Thanks. Babies are very inspiring. 🙂
michelle ortega says
just beautiful!! love your voice!
Donna says
Thanks Michelle! 🙂
Marcy says
I need to share, to bring images in your mind in order to understand my lullaby. The love of my life, my only son had a son ten years ago. The gift awarded to me was keeping this sweet baby each day. My drive was long, one hour each way, seven a.m. till seven p.m. This child saved my life, we bonded, he was my only hope. Life is hard, we all experience pain beyond what can be endured. Taking care of Lance gave me a reason to live. So each day when his eyes grew tried and I caught a yawn, it was time for a nap. This lullaby just came out of my mouth as I saw a black bird in a tree.
Bye-Bye Black Bird
It’s time for Lance
To fall asleep,
Bye-Bye Black Bird
You can lay your head
On me.
Bye-Bye Black Bird
Lance is tried as can be.
Bye-Bye Black Bird
Fly away so Lance
Can sleep.
Richard Maxson says
Hidden
She sings of pins, the mouths of birds,
among the sheets her mother hangs,
of wings which rise with night
and stir the air of dreams throughout the house.
Monsignor tells her, God hides in song,
and waits for her at the hour of death.
She is more direct with spirit things,
dreams of canticles to feed the wings of sleep.
Father guides the choir, gives her scales
she evaporates in meadow larks,
and thrushes on the way, the room left quiet,
and still like unnoticed rain.
The sisters give her pages, signed with clefs,
and birds in cages, fluttering solfeggios;
she sets them free before their paper clouds
in a sky the sisters do not see.
She sleeps in sheets crisp with the day.
Like will-o’-the-wisp her breathing winds
around the bed, the chair and past the open sill,
as birds wait silently in the unfinished air.
lynndiane says
A lil’ rhyme
The moon shines bright
upon this night
such pretty sight
for us to peep.
The full moon’s light
makes clouds take flight
outshines starlight
comfort we keep.
The moon’s far height
angels’ nightlight
please do not fight
just go to sleep!