Sleep

I lay in my bed and the darkness closes in.
The world around me silent
Only the chatter in my mind clamoring for attention.

Why didn't you
You should have
Did you think of
What about

I bolt upright.
No more! Make it stop!
I turn on the light.

The voices recede to quiet muttering
Until my eyelids droop
And I slide into sleep.

Screams and
Shouting
And moans and
Crying

When will it end?  Will it
Ever end?
Please,

Morpheus, sweet Morpheus,
Silence the pain
And let me sleep.

And let me sleep.

(© 1987)