I lie on the left
until my shoulder hurts.
I turn to the right,
the pijama itches.
I lie on my back,
the ceiling is a screen
a broken beam of light
from a passing car
sketches a jagged path.
I close my eyes
I fall asleep.
I fall awake--it was only a minute!
I beg the clock to tell me a lie
It refuses--another five hours
Agony until morning.
I count forward---then backward
The numbers scramble and dance:
Eighty-two, eighty-one, eighty, sixty-nine...
No, that is wrong--but who cares.
My head hurts, I am thirsty
I go looking for some water.
I drink, go back to bed.
Now I have to pee--up again
I produce a musical arc.
Go back to bed
Turn the pillow over
Look at the heartless clock:
Only five minutes gone!--hours to go
I wish I had a magic pill
I wish I had no head.
I could scream--but the neighbors...
There is no end to this.
I will go watch some TV.