Victor Buhagiar | + Follow Poet |
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A Dead Crab

The grandfather clock solemnly struck two.
In the pitchy night, shadows seem to flit about.
I close my red rimmed eyes tight
Yet I can see all around me for sleep eludes me.

I lie on my bed like a dead crab on the hot sand,
not daring to move lest sleep evades me.
I imagine phosphorescent planes flying over fallow fields:
This is not a night dream that conducts to slumber.
For dreams can be soothing, this is anything but.  
Almost dark despair as my tired eyes are wide awake.
I shut my eyes and imagine red full blown sails
weaving their way in a rubicund sunset
towards their berthing quays.
How quick they arrive and I am sleepless.

I think of you, dazzling and lovely,
covered in golden sand....like the crab.
No, no this does not work much for me.
The grandfather clock struck six.
Did I miss a beat?  Did I sleep?
I don't know, I feel like the dead crab.

Copyright © Victor Buhagiar | Year Posted 2021

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Valsa George Date: 5/15/2022 9:36:00 PM Can insomnia be more aptly described than with the image of a dead crab on hot sand ! When sleep evades us at night, horrible thoughts come to invade us ! Occasionally we miss a beat of the clock and it is when we slip off into semi sleep. Powerful poetry, dear Victor. Login to Reply

Timothy Hicks Date: 4/10/2021 4:46:00 PM Insomnia used to be horrible for me when I was a kid. Now it's not too bad, but other times I get sleep paralysis (which is arguably worse). It's an interesting metaphor with the crab. Blending in with the room around you. Unclear where the blankets end and you begin. In any case ... I'll stop rambling. Well written poem. Login to Reply

Linda Milgate Date: 3/10/2021 3:21:00 PM Looks like a lot of folk on Poetrysoup are awake in the middle of the night!! Interesting unique poem. Some really interesting word use, rubicund sunset, berthing quays, golden sand and then crab, yipes rough night!! Love so many of your word use and sounds. Login to Reply

Sara Kendrick Date: 3/10/2021 7:32:00 AM I have those nights and parts of every night when hours pass with sleep eluding me. Sometimes I feel I could just sleep and sleep and sleep. Thanks for the visit to my page. Sara Login to Reply

Kim Rodrigues Date: 3/10/2021 7:00:00 AM Like a dead crab on hot sand - poignant imagery! Login to Reply

Tania Kitchin Date: 3/10/2021 3:15:00 AM Victor, a great poem, insomnia is horrible when it keeps us up for days! Login to Reply

Anitha Jayasankar Date: 3/10/2021 2:46:00 AM Many will relate to insomnia. At times, I too have, not always. I keep praying, I keep counting, but sometimes nothing works... and at last.. I hear the morning chorus of birds..and happy that it's morning... very descriptive Victor.. God bless. ~ Ani Login to Reply

Alexis Y. Date: 3/9/2021 10:29:00 PM Hi Victor, I used to have insomnia too. And when I finally did fall asleep it was time to wake up. You described those restless and sleepless very well. Have a great evening:-)Alexis Login to Reply

Eve Roper Date: 3/9/2021 9:45:00 PM So many of those nights I share. Great write. Hugs Eve Login to Reply

Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 3/9/2021 3:46:00 PM Hello Victor, sometimes we are over tired not able to sleep. so if we do fall asleep we wake up tired. Enjoy your evening my friend. Login to Reply

Judy Ball Date: 3/9/2021 10:24:00 AM Been through a few nights like that myself. You don't know why you can't sleep you just can't. Excellent description. Well done. God Bless, JB Login to Reply

Evelyn Judy Buehler Date: 3/9/2021 8:59:00 AM Sleepless nights are very frustrating. Sometimes even trying to make your mind a blank doesn't work. :( I like your vivid imagery throughout, which makes this fine poem so relateable. Login to Reply

Vijay Pandit Date: 3/9/2021 5:39:00 AM I like the way you told the story binding it between bookends: grandfather clock struck two--then six. Very emotive details convey the restlessness of sleepless nights, Victor. Excellent, as always. Login to Reply

Tom Cunningham Date: 3/9/2021 4:21:00 AM Nothing worse than broken sleep, all kinds of dark thoughts flood your mind. I think we are all victims of it. Tom Login to Reply

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 3/9/2021 3:52:00 AM - I have no grandfather clock but often my nights are long and without sleep ... just looking into the darkness, and the hours go by ... wish we could choose pleasant dreams ... and rest well, Victor - A great poem :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Login to Reply