Andrea Dietrich Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Since getting past age 60, it has been so difficult for me to sleep (though I can sometimes fall to sleep naturally, i cannot STAY asleep). I do not feel tired during the day even getting only 5 hours of sleep at night, but I enjoy dreaming, so I really wanted to get back the 7-hour sleeptimes of my youth. I tried every natural product from melatonin to all kinds of herbs and special teas. I even tried seven types of prescription pills. Only one works for me: Temazapan (at a high dose)! Sure wish I did not have to rely on that!

Price I Pay For Slumberland

Now I lay me down to sleep.
Soon I start to curse the clock
keeping me from counting sheep.
I just hear tick-tock, tick-tock.

Bothersome! What can I do?
Turn face up, then on my side.
An hour’s passed; soon will be two.
How much more can I abide?

All my thoughts keep racing on.
Dread is washing over me
since I feel by light of dawn
only wakeful will I be!

Watch tv or read; I wait . . .
Consciousness is with me still.
What I need to do I hate.
I must take a sleeping pill!

Such Dependency is sick.
I reach out to my night stand.
TWO pills perhaps will do the trick!
Price I pay for Slumberland.

Jan. 23, 2021
for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Poetry Contest 
Sponsor: Craig Cornish

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Robert Pettit January 28, 2021 at 11:06 AM I'm in the same boat you are. However, I try not to take sleeping pills because I currently take too many other medications. As usual, your writing talent comes out in this one. Andrea Dietrich January 28, 2021 at 11:07 AM thanks. I hate depending on the pills but since I take no other medications, I hope it won't hurt me much.

Lindsay Laurie January 24, 2021 at 8:18 PM Hello Andrea … you described my nights very well, but the more I try to get to sleep the more frustrating it is. These hot nights we are having doesn’t help either - thank you Andrea - Lindsay

Gershon Wolf January 24, 2021 at 4:57 PM Wow, does this ever resonate with me. I hit the skids at 66, after a knee replacement operation, which wound up screwing up my back, my sleep, and gave me emphydema for a couple of years... Anyway, I feel for you, Andrea. It's such a bad feeling to be dependent on pills to sleep. I'm there too, although I occasionally get three-month periods where I don't need pills. And they're exactly three months to the day, incredibly. Oh, well. Keep tinkering. Eventually it's not so bad. Really. ~ gw Andrea Dietrich January 25, 2021 at 1:32 PM I started feeling a general unease with the world and what was going on around me about six years ago. A year after that I got cancer, and nothing has been the same. A medication I was given post-cancer has left me with bad effects. The Plandemic is in place, and I know where it's leading. Probably all that stuff contributes to my sleep problem. My side effects from Prolia greatly disturb my ability to sleep as well! Andrea Dietrich January 25, 2021 at 1:32 PM glad to hear you have the three month periods at least! I have times when I sleep easier as well.

Sara Kendrick January 24, 2021 at 2:12 PM You are probably either getting too much artificial light during the day and maybe products with caffeine or under too much stress. Not sleeping is horrible for sure. I have problems also. Melatonin should help you sleep plus dream. Thanks for all the visits to my page. Sara Andrea Dietrich January 24, 2021 at 2:16 PM I never slept all that much as a kid when I think of it. I enjoyed too much being a night owl. it's "in the blood" I guess. Melatonin, what a joke!!

Harry Horsman January 23, 2021 at 10:39 PM Sleeplessness is usual down to an active mind, Andrea, i've just scroll back 3,546 poems ago, 'I Heard Mother' and i'm sure thats only a one part of your life.. So many of us here, wish the best for you and hope, that natural sleep will come. And the poetry keeps on coming too. Andrea Dietrich January 24, 2021 at 12:48 PM oh and Edison got less than 3 hours a night. Did you hear about him? His inventors he hired were called the Insomniac squad, or something like that. I greatly admire that guy. He lived a long time, so I don't know why I worry about hours of sleep I get. I just enjoy sleeping and having dreams, so I feel I'm being shortchanged without my dreams! Andrea Dietrich January 24, 2021 at 12:45 PM I also heard that the smarter one is, the less sleep he requires, so I guess I can look at it THAT way. hahaha. I knew one lady who slept only 3 hours a night and she was perfectly healthy. At the time, I was only 40 and getting my normal 6 hours a night and I was incredulous that anyone could exist on 3 hours a night. but I guess it's possible!! Hopefully it means I am smart and not just subconsciously overly stressed! maybe the pills will make me go cuckoo!!

Victor Buhagiar January 23, 2021 at 9:57 PM We must always have to pay a price for any action we take. ~~ Andrea Dietrich January 24, 2021 at 1:06 PM Not true sometimes, Victor. I know people who abused their health for years and are living happily in their 90's. Life is so strange!!

Anitha Jayasankar January 23, 2021 at 6:47 PM I love your title Andrea. So apt for what you have written. Most of us have this experience I think, sometimes not getting a sound continuous sleep, last stanza made me a bit sad though. I hope and wish you sleep well without pills. Nice rhymes. Best wishes in the contest. Hugs ~ Ani

John Hardison January 23, 2021 at 5:42 PM May be the something was singing: Sleep no more my lady. So you would write this poem to be a sleepless winner. Such a privilege cost much. Lots of Lock. Peace, Love an Joy. Andrea Dietrich January 24, 2021 at 1:03 PM if it even gets placed. Otherwise, just another poem I wrote for nothing, except unless someone enjoyed it or related to it!

Vijay Pandit January 23, 2021 at 3:11 PM You speak for many, Andrea. That elusive sleep challenges us all from time to time.

Kim Rodrigues January 23, 2021 at 1:08 PM Not fun but the poem is great!

Quoth Theraven January 23, 2021 at 11:10 AM Andrea, What a price to pay. Should I feel a little guilt that I thoroughly enjoyed this restless poem? -Richard Andrea Dietrich January 23, 2021 at 10:20 PM Not at all, and thanks!

Rico Leffanta January 23, 2021 at 10:30 AM Just play dead! That always works! Great write! Aloha! Rico Andrea Dietrich January 23, 2021 at 10:20 PM I have a great talent for playing dead!