A Tossing and Turning Night

In a tossing and turning night, to wake up I forgot Never slipping from a series of perpetual dream A strange situation over and again, escape I could not In the fabric of this woolgather, I couldn’t tear the seam A speech in front of hundreds, I yearned to scream Standing in my underwear, my shaking voice was caught Closing my eyes tightly, trying to change the theme In a tossing and turning night, to wake up I forgot Skating across the ice, I wind up to take my shot I miss the net completely, letting down the team I’m stuck in a roar of booing heckles, an onslaught Never slipping from a series of perpetual dream Shut these lids again, restarting in a shallow stream Running with aching legs amidst a forest, I am shot A hunter hovers over me, to finish his prey I deem A strange situation over and again, escape I could not With the bang I take off again, sprinting on the spot There is no ground below, I plummet from a height extreme Anticipating the collision, pinching to change the plot In the fabric of this woolgather, I couldn’t tear the seam Is it over? Am I out of this self-induced figment regime In a jolt and thud, I reach the cloth of bed that I’ve sought A sigh of exhaustion and relief, I’m all out of steam Bedding and pillows askew in the chaos that I brought In a tossing and turning night. June 6th, 2022 A RONDEAU REDOUBLE POEM Poetry Contest Sponsored by: L MILTON HANKINS