Notes About The Poem

May-16- 2026

Open the Door and Enter the World of Possibilities

Sponsor- Sara Kendrick

~ PLACED FIRST~


 

Sleepless Nights- SK

The sky sneers at me through the curtain of clouds
I strain in vain to see if a star is flickering
The night stands stripped of all munificence
As I turn and twist on my bed,
I know for sure insomnia stubbornly 
Keeps her reins on my poor self

As I lie sleepless with my torso weighing a ton,
Whispering my anguish onto my pillow
With darts of pain stinging out from my swollen eyes
I know I have lost sense of every passing hour, 
But intensely feel every moment….
My ear drums are slit by the sirens of ambulances
Their blinking lights flashing in darkness
And scrawling strange graffiti on the walls 

Down in the patio, I hear the swish
Of paper flung by the paper boy
Thank God! The night has ended. 
But is it not for another night’s painful litany?
Yet I dream of a bright dawn 
At the end of every night of distress!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Jones Avatar
June 18, 2026 at 5:01 AM
Did you know that your poem is on the best new 100 list on soup Valsa in addition to your contest win? Double congratulations!
George Avatar
June 18, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Dear Karen, l don't deserve double congratulation as my poem is not on the top of the hundred list. It is just the 9th. However thanks for the Congratulations.
Guptar Avatar
May 18, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Congratulations Valsa on sharing the first place podium in this contest with a lovely poem with some beautiful imagery. Awaking after a sleepless night, to greet the bright dawn, though welcome, may be trying and tiring. Wish you a pleasant day.
DiMino Avatar
May 18, 2026 at 7:24 AM
"With darts of pain stinging out from my swollen eyes I know I have lost sense of every passing hour," -- Great imagery! "And scrawling strange graffiti on the walls" -- and fabulous poetry I bet. Who needs wall paper, a waste of valuable space. Entire life a sleep for many people -- your poetry wonderfully awake!
Kendrick Avatar
May 18, 2026 at 4:40 AM
I wanted to personally say thank you for participating in my contest and on your winner's place on winners' list. Congratulations. Way to go. Sara K.
George Avatar
May 18, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Thanks a lot dear Sara for holding the contest and the great placement given. Stay blessed.
Goldsmith Avatar
May 17, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Congratulations on your win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful "Sleepless Nights" write/story. I love your ending. Hope this is Not true/just a write. Have a blessed day with your wonderful win..............
One Avatar
May 17, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Hey my dear friend... your poem captures the struggles of insomnia so perfectly, you show your talented poetic mind, by expressing it with so many great verses through out.... I have noticed you write authentically in so many different forms and poetic styles... all the best..
Dietrich Avatar
May 16, 2026 at 6:47 PM
So funny. An ad for sleep aids comes beneath your poem
George Avatar
May 16, 2026 at 10:19 PM
These people are so watchful. How observant the world has become ! :)
Dietrich Avatar
May 16, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Valsa. If this is a usual thing for you, I hope you can vanquish it. I too struggle with insomnia and little weird things in my body that are uncomfortable. I had to use sleeping pills for ten years now but I am using fewer of them lately. You used great personification here. A fave for me
Dietrich Avatar
May 18, 2026 at 4:37 PM
I am a bit addicted to mine. Surprisingly I feel sick last night and nine hours straight with no pills at all!
George Avatar
May 16, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Thanks Andrea for sharing your personal experience. My insomnia is periodical. On some nights, I don't get any sleep at all. It's a horrible experience, but don't take any sleeping pills as I fear it may grow into an addiction. Occasionally I take Melatonin- 5mg. It helps.
Hind Avatar
May 16, 2026 at 6:44 PM
This is deep and heavy work. a fav <3
Legros Kelley Avatar
May 16, 2026 at 12:59 AM
Oh Valsa, that is a very well written poem of pure anguish. I hope you will be able to get some sleep. I too suffer terribly with insomnia and often have turned to melatonin as well as lemon balm, otherwise known as Mellisa, an herb that helps to calm the mind. I never take melatonin without lemon balm, or it gives me vivid crazy dreams, as known to do. Sleepy time tea helped before seriously distressing times came, once my mom died, melatonin was the only thing to help me sleep. Rest well <3
George Avatar
May 16, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Thank you BJ for suggesting some solutions for insomnia. I don't know what is Mellisa. Occasionally I take Melatonin recommended by my elder brother who is a doctor. He says, it doesn't have any proven side effects. However I don't have any crazy dreams when I take Melatonin.
Winter Avatar
May 15, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Dear Valsa, you have described the insomniac nights really accurately. The torso feeling a ton, the restless eyes. Insomniac nights can be really draining. I often try to relax with journaling and chamomile tea. It helps. Brilliant poem! Best, Anne
George Avatar
May 16, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Thanks a lot dear Anne. When I was of your age, I didn't have any sleep problems. But with age, I suffer from sleeplessness more often.
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