Lullaby For Lovely Baby Poem by Ahmad Shiddiqi

(dedicated to Ms. Ruth Palmer, a talented violinist)

suavely
tenderly
con amore

ornamentally
very gently
con grazia

flowing hug
slowly sway
pianissimo

caring touch
softly voice
delicatezza

sleep my baby
sleep into deep
sleep peacefully

sleep happily
sleep sweetheart
sleep, no more weep

wish you well
wish you luck
wish always to you

wish you save
wish you glad
wish from us to you

berceuse Debussy
berceuse Chopin
only to you

let’s dream nicely
let’s dream gorgeously
let’s dream of playground

let bubbles dance
let balloons fly
let stars sing

simply
humbly
piacevole

beautifully
smoothly
dolce

do we still need in harsh time
do we still seek in hard world
this lullaby too, my dear friends?

(inspired by Berthe Morisot's The Cradle)