A Mechanical Swing Saved My Life: An Ode

Oh Fisher Price Cradle Swing,
swinging the lump to sleep
in her swaddle, I will give
over my living room to you.

No more clever, space-saving
foldup, despised swing.
No more 24/7 hang-on-Mum party
whether in sling or in bed,

Mum dreaming of a faraway shower.
Now, lo! Free to cook
for a few unfettered moments!
Hark the grading of papers while she slumbers!

I bow to you, and oh, to
Harvey Karp too.
Happiest Babe on the Block indeed,
AND Mum. We'll still slumber together,
and sling when I'm ready,

but for now I'll feed your batteries,
push your white noise
buttons endlessly, and the Lump
will swing oddly high in you

over and over, dreaming
of womb gone by, of peace
enough to stay sleeping,
oh, glorious contraption!