As parents, we are often called upon in the quietest hours—when the world is dark and our children’s worries feel the loudest. Gentle parenting isn’t just about the calm moments; it’s about meeting our children’s fears with open arms, even when our own hearts are heavy and tired.
The poem “Night Whispers” was born from those midnight moments when my child’s small voice reaches out for comfort, and I am reminded of the deep, unspoken questions that live in all of us—about love, loss, and the longing for reassurance.
In these verses, I share the vulnerability of not having all the answers, but offering what I can: presence, honesty, and unconditional love. I hope this poem resonates with you, whether you’re holding a little hand through the darkness or remembering the ones who held yours. May it remind us that while we can’t promise forever, we can promise to be here—right now, with all the love we have.
Night Whispers
You call for me, small voice through the dark,
Night after night, the clock’s hands slow—
Mummy, come, I’m scared, don’t go—
And I come, though I am tired,
My arms heavy, my heart heavier still.
You cry, and I hold you,
Your tears warm on my shoulder,
The room thick with questions
Too big for eight-year-old hearts,
And for mine, too.
Last night, between sobs and silences,
You found the words:
I don’t want you to die, Mummy.
And I wanted to say,
I never will,
But I couldn’t,
And so I held you tighter,
Swallowed my own tears
So you wouldn’t see
How much I wish I could promise forever.
I told you about my Dad—
How I lost him,
How he’s still here in ways I can’t explain,
How I try to be more like him
As I walk through these parenting years.
But I know, too,
That when I call, he doesn’t answer,
And I don’t want that ache for you.
I remember being older than you,
Asking my Dad not to leave before I was ready,
And he promised he’d stay—
But life is a story
We can’t always write the ending to.
So I tell you,
We have now,
We have these nights,
These whispered fears,
These tired arms,
This love that fills the space between us
Like starlight in the dark.
I wish I could be your forever,
But I can be your always,
Here, tonight,
And every day I’m given—
Sharing all the living years,
While we are here,
While we are healthy,
While we are together.
And maybe that is enough,
For both our hearts
To rest,
At least for tonight.
Gentle Parent 