But Sleep Won't Come

Tom Dylan


Notice of absence from Tom Dylan
*I WILL BE UNAVAILABLE THE FIRST TWO WEEKS IN OCTOBER 25*
Sorry if there is a delay in responses. Sometimes life gets in the way. As John Lennon said, life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.

You toss and turn, eyes shut tight,

but sleep won’t come,

it’s as elusive as the big lottery win

that you would dream off,

if you could ever get to sleep.

 

As you try and switch off your mind,

you remember that embarrassing incident

in that burger joint years ago,

when you shook the ketchup bottle

and the lid flew off,

red sauce splattering everywhere,

the chaos was like a 

scene from a horror film.

 

You recall that that you need to apply

for your new passport by the end of the month,

and that the dog is at the vets next week,

and did you lock the car?

Yes, of course you did.

Stop it, relax, go to sleep.

 

What about the back door?

You didn’t even have the back door open

this evening. Of course it’s locked.

Ah, so it’s the front door that you’ve left unlocked.

Anyone could just walk in.

And what is that noise?

 

Swearing and grumbling in the darkness,

you flop the pillow over,

savouring the cool side,

trying to get as comfortable as you can,

slowing your breathing.

 

Finally, you hear sleep whisper in your ear,

feel her breath on your cheek,

and then you’re away….

 

You sit up suddenly seconds later

as the morning alarm goes off

like a police car siren.

  • Author: Tom Dylan (Offline Offline)
  • Published: September 23rd, 2025 05:52
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 16
  • Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange
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Comments +

Comments6

  • sorenbarrett

    All those things that go through the mind after one lays down. Then there is the reticence to get back up to check anything and the grinding irritation that comes with laying there not being able to let it go. Well written and identifiable

    • Tom Dylan

      Thanks a lot, Soren. Really appreciate your comments. Cheers, Tom.

      • sorenbarrett

        You are most welcome my friend

      • Doggerel Dave

        Yeh...last night... can't stand another night like that...Forget the sauce (was HP actually) check: don't need the passport now ... ain't got a dog (couldn't find one).. shouldn't have any trouble... Only got one front door - had to check - locked ....two am it must a been.....Yeh woke at six, no need of an alarm..Tom, believe me, you ain't the only one....

        • Tom Dylan

          Yeah, horrible, innit? And yeah, when I was young I covered half the restaurant in ketchup! So embarrassing! Thanks for your comments, mate. Really appreciated.

        • Tristan Robert Lange

          Tom, this captures the restless mind so vividly, my friend. It feels like insomnia itself is narrating...relentless, frustrating, and all too human. The humor keeps it sharp, but the exhaustion is real. Well done! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛

          • Tom Dylan

            Thanks a lot for your comments, mate. Really appreciated.

          • orchidee

            Yes, sometimes we're ready to sleep about an hour before it's time to get up! I'm retired now, though been semi-retired for some years anyway, with redundancy from my last job. I could get up any time now, I suppose, but like to get up early-ish!

            • Tom Dylan

              Yes, and there is nothing worse than lying there, needing sleep while your mind runs away with itself! Cheers, Tom.

            • Goldfinch60

              Such a true story Tom, it is amazing how many things can go through your mind when trying to get to sleep.

              I don't need to worry about my passport though, the last one I had was back in 1966. LOL

              Andy

              • Tom Dylan

                Yes, I was trying to capture the agony of arguing with your own thoughts while trying to drift off to sleep! Thanks for your comments, mate. Really appreciated.

              • Thomas W Case

                Boom. Powerful work.

                • Tom Dylan

                  Thanks a lot. Really appreciate your comments.



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