Sleepless Nights

In late hours when I should be sleeping
Peacefully beneath the down duvet
My mind races on and tumbles over words
And thinks of things I've yet to say.

It starts poems running through my head
With endings just a little out of reach
And so I stay awake and write.
My creativity I beseech.

If thoughts would come by wholes not halves,
Poems I could dash off left and right.
But bits and pieces is what I get
While trying to sleep late at night.

So pen and paper my bed-mates be.
I keep them close in case of need.
To jot my jumbled thoughts down on
When the start of a poem plants a seed.

I should be sleeping this I know
But turn them off I cannot do.
So poetry starts and stops all night,
And these sleepless nights, I've had a few.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Coulstock Avatar
September 26, 2010 at 1:57 AM
Hi again. simply loved this and I'm sure most who write poetry would agree with you it is so apt. Incidently my problem with poems is often the title.And I often find what gets my creative juices flowing is being in the bath or the loo, oh well each to their own! luv June
Chachere Avatar
September 16, 2010 at 5:21 PM
thats the feeling a true poets gets when they can't stop writing, if the thoughts keep flowing in, its not time to stop until the flow is done.(: ~Always&Forever Lynette
Masciarelli Avatar
September 13, 2010 at 3:55 PM
Francine this poem is so true and when we have restless nights we finally get up and out of our bed and it seems that words pop into out heads with new seeds that are planted in rhyme inside of our mind and we start typing them down and if we cannot finish them right away we can come back to them when the next round of words start flowing in our minds on another day, thank you for sharing a part of your personality through your gift in poetry with all of us here in the poetry community :) Dean
A   Avatar
September 13, 2010 at 9:51 AM
wow! Francine, I think most of us can relate to your poem here, Enjoyed,..p.d.
Devonshire Avatar
September 13, 2010 at 9:41 AM
Birthday buddy, this is an affliction many of us share. We can't wait to write down those words that pass through our minds while we're trying to sleep. There have been times I've stayed up all night because the thoughts seem to spring forth more clearly then. Excellent poem, Francine! Love, Carolyn
Dietrich Avatar
September 12, 2010 at 11:39 PM
HI, Francine. I think this must be a common occurence for many here. I have read several poems on this topic. I have done poems like this and I think you did a GREAT job of describing this phenomenon yourself! Luv, Andrea
Sweetheart Avatar
September 12, 2010 at 10:13 PM
Same with me Francine.. pen and copy book are bed partners as well.. enjoyed this piece as it speaks volumes to the poet's war of words and the issues to keep pen and paper at hand so as not to forget or miss any... great piece my friend..with luv..
Sapp Avatar
September 12, 2010 at 6:19 PM
And I thought I was alone in this! Aggrevating when you need to get to sleep, isn't it?
Mehta Avatar
September 12, 2010 at 6:13 PM
I do share your experience sometimes. I compose poems in my sleep, Francine
Evette Avatar
September 12, 2010 at 5:54 PM
I feel the same way. Started keeping a pad and pen in my car too. Never know where the inspirstion will come from but being prepared to write it down is essential. Love this. Monica
Kendrick Avatar
September 12, 2010 at 2:00 PM
I have counted Haiku even in an unrestful sleep..Glad to know that I am not the only one..Great topic that you have chosen on which to write your poem for I am sure that many face this everyday...Sara
Fraser Avatar
September 12, 2010 at 1:18 PM
I keep a small note pad beside me Francine, and the light on the display on my phone is my torch. Many a night I have written down some notes, which in turn have turned into a poem. Nice poem >> James :)
Beesley Avatar
September 12, 2010 at 12:57 PM
good description of a mad poet...figments of imagination and fragments of fear take on their own life...and when the pen strikes the paper it explodes into ryhmes
Keys Avatar
September 12, 2010 at 9:51 AM
i have been there, and i am sure many of us on the soup, too. there are some nights i will get up and just go to my computer with thoughts of importance that need to be expressed ... maybe i should not leave my computer all the time .. but anyway, great write, thanks, chuck
Austin Avatar
September 12, 2010 at 9:18 AM
I think that much good poetry comes together through bits and pieces. Good ideas don't seem to jell instantly. Lots of food for thought in this one. Love, Dave
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace