Kuzma Sergeyevich Petrov-Vodkin"Mother and Child", 1927

I remember the bedroom and the nightlight,the toys, the warmth of my little bed,and your gentle, tender voice:“A guardian angel watches over you!”

I recall the nanny undressing me,scolding me in a hushed whisper,while sweet sleep, clouding my eyes,pulls me toward her shoulder.

You’d make the sign of the cross, kiss me,remind me He is near,and fill me with enchanted faith…I remember, I remember your voice!

I remember the night, the warmth of the bed,the nightlight glowing in the shadowed corner,the shadows cast by the lamp’s chains…Were you perhaps the angel then?

Ivan Bunin. “To My Mother”.

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