The Westminster Choir Performs Thomas LaVoy's White Stones

The Westminster Choir, conducted by Joe Miller, performs White Stones by Westminster Choir College student Thomas LaVoy. Soloists are Madeline Apple Healey, soprano, and Daniel Elder, bass. Recorded at the Westminster Choir's 2012 Tour Homecoming Concert in Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus, January 2012.

White Stones
It happens late, as I lie in bed,
trailing my hand in sleep—
the scream
that doesn't stop. I always go.

When I turn on the light he doesn't blink
but goes on staring at the dark
until I come between them, hold him
close. I rock him and croon.

When I think he's asleep I turn off the light,
still singing, lay him down. But he sits up,
looks over my shoulder. He can see in the dark,
he can hear what I can't, and he whispers:
Giants are coming here, mama,
Giants are coming here.

I offer him water
but he wants only the smooth
white stones of lies, such comfort
as I can give, and give again:
Nothing can hurt you while mama is here.

I stay until he's asleep. I close his door,
feel my way back through the dark
to my own bed. Only then do I hear it—
my heart; only then the heavy tread.

Esther Margaret Ayers