This piece is dedicated to all the nervous, sleepless nights I have endured. We’ve all been there. Sleep is an escape from all of life’s anxieties. So tell, me what is one to do when they are unable to sleep? Thank God someone invented sleeping pills, huh?
Liquid-Blue-Lullaby,
sing me to sleep,
or else I won’t rest.
Counting sheep doesn’t work
anymore;
this mind’s been too
busy to count,
these thoughts are too
chaotic for order.
These lids are heavy,
but they refuse to shut,
and every time I begin to fall,
I am jolted awake by the sound
of my heart palpitating
against my ribs.
I accept that fact that
I will be up before
my alarm clock goes off
at six AM.
It is already 5:55.
It’s been 32 hours since I last slept.
Swollen eyes stare up at the ceiling,
defeated.
I think I’ll call in sick
tomorrow.
Skull pounding, legs shaking,
I tiptoe to the kitchen,
open the medicine cabinet,
and reach out–
mama always keeps
the good stuff on the top shelf.
I pop the lid,
lay you in my palm.
I stare down
at you, liquid-blue.
And I can hear
you humming.
Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/124200902201176918/