The Last One Awake

The Last One Awake a bedtime story

When the lamps go low and the day is done,
our whole house yawns — except for one.
Little Maria shakes her sleepy head:
“Not yet! I’m the guard of this cozy bed.”

One by one the sleepyheads go:
big brother, big sister, the baby, and so…
their eyes fall shut in the soft lamp glow —
but Maria stays up. She’s watching, you know.

Then Mama and Papa tiptoe near,
kiss her head, and doze in the rocking chair.
The moon climbs up. The nightlight’s on.
Still Maria watches, brave till dawn.

At last her little lantern-eyes close,
snug with her rabbit from her head to her toes.
Safe and sound in a house fast asleep —
the last one awake is the first to dream.