The Chinese Mother’s Lullaby

Pull in your feet, little darling,   

so I can kiss your wee trotters   

while I fold under a toe   

and another one underneath.   

I bend a little piggie.   

I bend another little piggie   

And look at that naughty little piggie   

that is still sticking out.   

Now, now, my treasure,   

there is work to be done here.   

Your toes like fairy thimbles,   

the blossom of the foxglove.   

Like a calf that is spancelled   

or a hobble on a chicken,   

there will be swaddlings of silk   

on the feet of my dear.   

That my daughter now shrieks   

like a blue jay is no matter,   

she will sway in the future   

like a bamboo on a windy day   

or like a willow sapling.   

So I bend under the big toe   

and another toe after   

to form a foot like a lotus   

about to unfold.

Poor Cliodhna has flat feet.   

Maire has huge ones.   

Peggy’s are like spades   

and Niamh’s like two rakes.   

Just hold still, my dearie,   

while I tighten your bindings.   

I’m only your mammy   

doing my very best for your sake