Keith

SLEEP

Sometimes

I feel I\'ve forgotten how to sleep

my eyes close but my vagrant brain

wanders

lost amongst pillows of thoughts

hills of conversations

that rise like starlings

fleeing Hyde Park.

 

Sometimes

I die.

 

I slip my thoughts sideways

my lids seal and I am locked in.

Vast acres of safe nothing

cushioning me

as I slide to

forever.

 

Deep down I search.

I look for reasons to return.

My heart echoes from distant days

a child’s call

a brother’s wave…

I count the beats

and sleep creeps like a false friend

and lies its way into my brain

as if by losing the night

I\'ll gain respite from the worm of worry.

And just as I remember how

the clock turns three

and I awake

as others flee

from mortal cares.

Sleep has slipped its fetters

once again.