Sleep Come Take Me

Where are you sleep when I need you?

Lying in the dark:

waiting,

wishing.

Awake

despite the late hour.

Tossing and turning,

twisting,

writhing.

Then still.

Head full of thoughts,

dreams,

anxieties,

doubts.

Legs moving,

a compulsion that won’t leave.

Ignoring the clock; knowing it won’t help.

A thump and a plump of the pillow.

Face forward,

screaming into the down.

On my back...

On my side...

On my front...

Legs out of the duvet.

Legs in.

And still sleep won’t come.

Switch the light on,

try to read.

Eyes droop and close.

Light off.

Eyes

wide

awake

suddenly...

Ear plugs in.

Eye mask on.

Surely something will help?

More hours pass in a whirl of frustration.

And exhaustion.

Giving in!

A look at the clock:

5 a.m.

Only one hour till the alarm.

Another sleepless night

What’s the point trying?

And that’s when sleep takes me.

Until the chime of the alarm sends it running,

to hide from me once again.