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.