To Sleep

To Sleep
Perchance to dream
That doesn’t seem 
Like too much to ask 

So deep
And so extreme
One won’t waken
But I’m taken to task 

Summoned in the middle of the night
By tormentors in my head
I should ignore - them but instead

I rise
Like a ghost on the prowl
I rise
Like a hunting owl
I rise 
And run afoul of the law of 
Sleep

To Sleep
How late the hour
What is this power
That shakes me from rest?

I keep
Answering the call
I’m bound to fall
And fail the test

I long to drink from the river Lethe
Forgetting all that’s been said
I should ignore it - but instead

I rise
Like a thirsty vampire
I rise
Like the flames of a fire
I rise
Even though I tire from lack of
Sleep

My one desire to sleep
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Johnson Avatar
June 27, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Exellent writing. It is so hard to fight for sleep when it won't come. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Dietrich Avatar
June 24, 2010 at 2:50 PM
I can't recall the entire scheme of this poem you seem to be modeling it after, but I bet it is carring the same types of meter, etc. I did the same thing with MY entry. Only I modeled a different poem. Congratulations! andrea
Tideswell Avatar
June 24, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Enjoyed your poem very much, congratulations on your win ~ Sharon :)
Brown Avatar
June 24, 2010 at 5:31 AM
Congratulations Corinne on your win in Nikko Palmario's contest "Your Snooze, You Choose". Love, Carol
K. Avatar
June 24, 2010 at 1:40 AM
Hi Corinne :)!! Congrats on your win in my contest--your rhyme just really spoke to me and I deeply enjoyed how dramatic it all is, those "I rise" lines were pretty powerful in my opinion, haunting in their own way-- congrats again! --nikko :)
Austin Avatar
February 27, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Sounds like your on the Lethe alright, but in Charon's boat. Shoot that there damn three-headed dawg and get ta sleep. Hey, I like this one a LOT! Love, daver
Winter Avatar
February 27, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Great song lyric! Many people can relate to these words. Insomnia is fairly common. Especially love the 'I rise...' verses. Love, Shar
Higgins Avatar
February 27, 2009 at 10:49 AM
I love htis piece my friend. I love the imagery throughout and the poem reads so well. I especially like the last stanza..good work.
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