Insomnia sits
insomnia sits
on the cracked shell of dreams
and stares at the night-stained walls
she keeps company
with grief and guilt
sipping frequently from worry
stars that peek
through the web of memory
offer little heat or heart in the mean hours
and the clock's red eye
keeps a bleary watch
against any crooked finger of rest
there's a twist
to the sheets
and to the mind that doesn't sleep
posted by MB at 4:13 AM
24 Comments:
WOW!! Mary Beth, I'm sorry for the lack of sleep, but you produced a dynamite poem!!
Pat, thank you! It's a bit edgy, but might as well pull something from the experience, eh? I'd hoped to get it a bit more rhythmic, maybe on an edit one day.
Charlie, never occurred to me that Insomnia would be anything but a she. "Counting she" doesn't sound so bad, after all, unless they're all insomniae. Thanks, from one twisted mind to another. ;-)
Loved it. And that clock's red eye...dang. So true, and so right-as-image.
I hope you have fluffy pillow-cloud dreams and happier sleep, but am glad you could shape that evening's lack into a gift.
Ooh! "the mean hours"--vividly brings back memories of misery...hope this episode is a fleeting and soon forgotten one!
i love this. the "mean hours" especially!
thankfully those days are over for me. since i don't work, i don't go to bed until i am ready...no clock watching for me any longer!
wonderfully done mb
(i was up at 5.30 after a sleepless night - so it hit home all too well) :)
I love this poem, mb. It makes me think of all my nights of sleeplessness. Insomnia's family is each in their own beds across the land, watching the same red eye and counting the mean hours ticking. The heater comes on, goes off. The far neighbor's motion sensor light shines, and then goes dark. Once all the grief and guilt have been thoroughly examined, there is only the small whir of the refrigerator.
Its nice to be here ...Im glda to read your poems
The connection between that picture and what you've described in your mind and what you see is uncanny.
That thin crack at the center of the picture. It's asking for more space, as I feel you are with this piece.
Peace.
OH - I have met her --- she is a frequent visitor --- how well you have described her visits
You nailed it!!
perfect! this one really hits home.
MB,
Wonderful cadence and rhythm in this one. I loved the "spooky" element in this poem, sort of like the folk songs about the boogey man and so forth. Very much a departure for you, but I like it.
Sorry I haven't been around as much. The candle keeps growing more ends to burn, I think.
a hotflash adds the punch.
counting sheep endlessly
and dancing silently with the moonshadow...sleepless in France.
Hi MB... this is my first visit to your blog... this poem alone will keep me coming back... it has that quality that gets my attention and keeps it... and i am sure - means a little extra more to me since i've spent many a sleepless nights
Wow! Very powerful writing. You have indeed turned an experience into a gift. It is somehow reassuring to read these words and the strong affirmations from the folks who have also read it. It makes you realize you're not alone when you have this very human experience.
Oh, you too? You describe it perfectly.
MB, I copied this poem and will read it on nights I can't sleep and there's a twist to the sheets. How well you've captured insomnia!
My mind used to refuse sleep...now the pendulum has swung and it can't get enough!
Looking for that happy in-between...
alan
Lori, thanks, I gratefully accept all the puffy-cloud wishes!
Firebird, thank you, time is a great remedy for all sorts of things... eventually.
Sky, I've noticed that I really don't think straight, or very nicely, at that time of night. Lucky you!
Floots, sorry to hear it, but thanks for the commiseration.
Robin Andrea, insomnia's family — egad! What a thought! (Makes me think of something along the lines of the Addams family...)
Nasra, welcome and thank you for commenting. I'll come visit!
Mermaid, thanks for appreciating the illustration and for your good wish.
Endment, much appreciated.
rdl, thanks!
Polona, thanks!
Michelle, I certainly don't think of insomnia as a beautiful thing, though!
Firehawk, thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed this piece. And I'm glad to hear you're busy with your projects, though hopefully not too busy.
Corey, ah, you sound like you know the scene well. Sweeter dreams to you!
Amy, thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you enjoyed the visit. I'll come take a look.
Bitterroot, I confess I'm a little surprised by the number of insomniacs frequenting my blog! ;-)
Beth, oh yes, me too, I'm afraid. Episodically, fortunately.
Charlie, may you recover from your jet lag quickly and smoothly!
Pauline, may it provide you with some comfort, then.
Alan, balance is a good thing, but sometimes it consists of backing and forthing. I hope you find the in-between soon!
fantastic ode to the kind of sleeplessness i've been experiencing lately. hope your peace is restored soon. thanks for giving voice to this experience so eloquently!
Perfectly described.
I suffer with insomnia too this is so well captured-do you write much when you can't sleep? I often do.
Snowsparkle, thanks. I hope you are sleeping better, too.
Moira, thank you.
Sue, sometimes I do write, yes. Thank you.
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