“If I should die before I wake. . .”
Who composed this nightmare of a prayer,
taught to generations of children kneeling bedside?
Kids shouldn’t worry about such things.
Their nighttime musings should prompt smiles and
the clapping of dimpled hands.
“If I should fly through clouds before I wake. . .”
“If I should eat a snow-cone, bright with sugar before I wake. . .”
“If I should tiptoe to the barn, looking for hens’ eggs,
only to discover the barn cat has birthed a pile of kittens,
all black and gray and white, before I wake. . .”
“If I should have a picnic before I wake. . .”
“If I should wade into a soft-bedded stream before I wake. . .”
“If I should frost a cake for my teddy bear’s birthday before I wake. . .”
“If I should weave a crown of wildflowers and wear it for a crowd
of cheering fairies before I wake. . .”
“If I should get a kiss from the prettiest girl or handsomest boy
at school before I wake. . .”
“If I should find myself living in the children’s section of an
enormous library before I wake. . .”
“If I should jump in a puddle, first in red galoshes and then with bare
feet before I wake. . .”
Teach these prayers to children.
Death comes soon enough.
–Sarah Torribio
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