Imperious Child
By Katie Lashbrook

After I was a grown-up my
Grandma told me that the adults in our family
sat by my bed, when I was a
little girl, and held my hand until I
fell asleep.
(Can your think of anything more comforting then aloved one holding your hand to help you fall asleep?)

Everything about this story enchants me: such
power I had then – but,
why did they allow me to get away with it,
those over-worked, tired adults?

I wonder if my impatient father took his turn
holding my hand in
rotation with the patient ones:
my mother
my grandparents and
my aunts
as I nodded off.

– Katie Lashbrook lives in Lawrence.