To the Boy Who Could Not Sleep

You cannot sleep, you tell me spitting forth frustration angry sentiments of a scorned heart Your dreams are robbed You have been ridiculed all day in a world where You don’t quite understand the rules every word you spoke today was the wrong one You crossed lines unknowingly doors were shut in your face doors of opportunity fame Your love and passion which you felt was real was mocked— so you cannot put away such thoughts You come to me frowning, heated seeking sympathy But son, you are young you know not what ropes truly bind the soul what thoughts throttle the heart in the darkness of night you have been betrayed, deceived by strangers amongst whom you sought fortune and acknowledgement but this, I tell you is no shame, no grief you have not felt the cuts of those you thought dearest those you thought you knew that hair those lips those eyes that heart now coloring and darting away leaving icy holes in your chest you know not yet that the curse of a sleepless night does not burn with anger it is cold, so cold and so lonely So say not another word now and go Go you may sleep in peace for you are not a father.