Count-up to Planet Bed

I’m one for the window

and two for the door.

I’m three for the ceiling

and four for the floor.

I’m five for the morning

and six for the night.

I’m seven for the stairs

and eight for the light.

I’m nine for a story

and ten for my bed.

Now I’m off for a dream

to hold in my head.

Katherine Gallagher

(Published in Toothpaste Trouble (ed. Nick Toczek, Macmillan, 2002)

• Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #23

Katherine says: Going to bed isn’t always a happy time but it can be made fun with ‘ a one-step-at-a-time’ count-up. Your Poetry Prompt #23 reminded me of this situation.