I call you Beast

But we both know

That is a lie

For you are soft and tender and sweet

as my garden in July --

As a baby, you used to wear hats all the time

to protect yourself

And now you wear toughness

Third grader style

(A gap-tooth smile)

You put it on

Meticulously every day.

But it comes off at night

When you are dreaming, under

the faint glow of your nightlight --

Still a little afraid of shapes around you

And your little blue bear

sleeps with his eyes open

inside your curved flannel elbow