Oh Sleep,
you old weaver of unbeatable threads,
- - feeder of narcotic nectar - - - - - - baker
of heavy-grain sedative - - boatman who never
stops splashing oars - - - slumber-jack - - fakir
with magical wand - - you wide-eye lover bent
on seduction - - a fiend who woos then takes,
the so-called sooth-crooner - - - hill-a-bye friend
known as the sandman - - - an eye-salve agent,
maker of drowse-powder - - dope-peddler,
dream-chainer - you the drug-spirit - pale
ghost of opiate-relaxation - - - - soft-breathed
jailer of wakeful night-ire - - - - the knave
who keeps dozers awake - - - Sleep the jester
whose counted sheep drives brave people crazy.
Until Day.
Oh Sleep, blesséd eraser
of anything
painful, hard or serrated,
you smoother
of all things feeling rough,
cover me over
in forgetful haze, enough
to remind me
that stress can melt into
pleasanter dreams.
Lightning struck me, truly
caught me in claws
of a cruel assassin, attack
came by news and
glued wake onto my back,
threw me to knees
and yes unbelievably near
doubt now wears
tighter cuffs of ill-at-ease.
Sleep, be my
ally please stay until light,
embrace me in
drowse, aid belief re-align,
douse the resolve
now fired with resentment
Right now I
need to relax the intention
for dire revenge.
Sleep, keep
me with you until I see more
what is the wisest
to do, lullaby me within your
somnolent arms.
Oh Languor while I face yet
muddier waters
guide me to meet Morpheus
who for a time
smothers
love\'s awful betrayal.
Repose sink me into slumber
before rousing me up.