The Insomniac Diary

Day one passes into ten and twelve and eight-
Teen years spent by the neon glow of
Alarm clock stifled, the heavy hand, a fist
Trying to wake the awakened
But the sleepless cut the tongue, the wires
The life support system down in a blaze
Do not try to wake me when I have not slept

Scribbled down a diary entry on the back of 
A calling card, a cigarette box, a prescription
Weighted down by a cup of thick black coffee
And the stale remnants of a Bloody Mary
The tick that follows tock which drives me to despair
Sat beside in thoughtlessness as I contemplate myself

The world and everything, nothing lies forgotten
Off the record, under the carpet, when you are an insomniac
You cannot sleep on anything and nothing lies dead
It just rebirths itself as you watch the minute tick
At the rate of a slothful hour, ticking and tocking
And checking the boxes, confirming, yes I have gone insane.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Bickerstaffe Avatar
April 2, 2009 at 8:52 AM
'...to awake the awakened,' '...the tick that follows tock,' ...both serve to describe the hopelessness of your condition. Well done my friend! Best wishes, Keith
Devonshire Avatar
February 26, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Nathaniel, "Do not try to wake me when I have not slept" reminds me of so many sleepless nights (like tonight). Indeed, the "tick that follows tock" can drive us to despair! But you haven't "gone insane," the darn tick-tocking just makes you feel that way. I'll be checking out more of your work! Amazing talent needs an audience. Love, Carolyn
Bungay Avatar
January 9, 2009 at 6:47 AM
that poem is awesome. it touched my heart. i would like to hear from you, you seem to be an interesting induvidual.
Bickerstaffe Avatar
January 7, 2009 at 3:49 AM
The utter despair of the insomniac... so well captured here with compelling language and rich descriptions. Well done Nathaniel! Best wishes, Keith
Guzzi Avatar
January 6, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Boy do I hear you and I'm not even this bad!Check out my poem "The Nest" Writting does help the more you pour out the less you have to ruminate over. Light & Love Debbie Guzzi
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