Old Man Falling Asleep Reading

OLD MAN FALLING ASLEEP READING Soundless words and mute silence, Slowly losing my place, no rush, Where time stops and speech ends - Quiet noiseless hush. Long pale sunbeam has crept Into roomy gloom, edging sideways - A yellow cat on stealthy steps, Dust motes held in its gaze. Anaesthetic of table-polish and paper gloss, Buzz, flicker, and plink-plonk from faulty tube light, Books by the dusty dozen, measure the loss - Loosen my grip, once tight. Doze, lose consciousness, And so to sleep, perchance to wake In a place where speech ends: time stops. .................................................................