Lullaby for Loud Things
Rock-a-bye rocket
blasting to space,
sleep tight dirt bikes
revving to race.
Hush little helicopter,
don’t chop a peep,
you too little chainsaw,
stop, go to sleep.
Good night honking cars,
good night honking geese,
and to you groaning ghosts,
please, rest in peace.
Lights out, fireworks.
Thunderclap, rest.
Close your eyes crows
who caw in your nest.
Marching band, march
straight into your dreams.
Roll into slumber,
roller coaster screams.
Rock-a-bye rock band,
soon you will shred!
Jackhammer, woodpecker,
KIDS, GO TO BED!
blasting to space,
sleep tight dirt bikes
revving to race.
Hush little helicopter,
don’t chop a peep,
you too little chainsaw,
stop, go to sleep.
Good night honking cars,
good night honking geese,
and to you groaning ghosts,
please, rest in peace.
Lights out, fireworks.
Thunderclap, rest.
Close your eyes crows
who caw in your nest.
Marching band, march
straight into your dreams.
Roll into slumber,
roller coaster screams.
Rock-a-bye rock band,
soon you will shred!
Jackhammer, woodpecker,
KIDS, GO TO BED!
This poem is copyright (©) Stefan Karlsson 2026
About the Writer
Stefan Karlsson
Stefan is a poet and artist based in Portland, Oregon. He received his MFA in Poetry from the University of California-Irvine. His poems (for children) have appeared in The Dirigible Balloon, Paddler Press, Little Thoughts Press, and Tyger Tyger Magazine. His paper marbling artwork can be found on Instagram @nautiluspaper, and his poetry for kids can be found on Twitter @stefkidlit and on YouTube @StefanKidsPoetry.
