Before nodding off in bed and on the cusp
of wide awake and fast asleep
when I can't keep my eyes open
while drifting down into darkness deep
the oddest thoughts cross my mind
without so much as a single warning
but even stranger still of it's own free will
it recalls them all come the morning
where they originate I can't say
as fleeting flybys quite romancy
they're not dreams or so it seems
but nightly random flights of fancy
though rather late, I woke up
i might have thought I wasted time in nodding
but what a wonderful dream I had
the hoary woods crew
danced on my eyelids
sourced balsam scent and poppies
the floaters
fresh and cruel motivators
i limp along, with a beard so long, and cane
my knee’s bent, my pace slowing
but shadow’s spreading
as I part my lips, dandelion seeds sail
through gentle
waves of wind toward
generation gaps
the stories
i will tell of flagons, empty dragon’s breath
joy of open eyes
how sunlight revives the tenderness of life
implement the words of Solomon the wise
drops drip through roof holes
drips plop into a cracked pot -
he dreams of deep sleep
* 6th Place* in the following premiere contest (judged on Nov. 11, 2020)
Nov. 9, 2020
Sen-ru (rather than hi-ku) Poetry Contest
Contest Sponsor: Brian Strand
While I nodded nearly sleeping
While I nodded nearly napping can't believe it's happening
Goodnight all!
8/6/20
written words by James Edward Lee Sr. ©2020
smiling and nodding
as the guy drones on and on. . .
thinking of dinner
Written March 18, 2019
For Writing Challenge 3- March 2019 - Senryu Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Dear Heart
RIP-NODDING TIL TWO
At dawn’s early light, i’m up and at it.
Mid-morning eyes close in lair, where I sit.
Not merely a wink.
A twenty year blink.
Wake up with cobwebs - Van Winkle’d a bit.
10/5/2017
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rip_Van_Winkle
In the short story, written by Washington Irving, Rip Van Winkle sleeps for twenty years.
A voice in a room squashed the silence
Efforts of action were darkened by menace
She rejected the urge of a soul leaving
Body presence was all she seeking
It can’t be denied left-ing out is cool
Minding nothing won’t ignite the fuel
Purposeless race to make disgraceful noise
Breaks the strive to stand in a hopeless toes
Life’s worth doesn’t match the pursuit of success
Her utterance threaten life quest of wisdoms
Meeting at a point relieves the speakers fear
Leaving audience ideas wiped as a tear.
A sea of crystal clear smiles at nod of celestial slumber.
6/7/2017
Monoku Form
Contest: The Glass Is Always Full
1st Place
Nodding off is a big part of my life now
Seems I've reached that magic age
Sit down to watch my most favourite show
And wake up much later in a rage
My favourite show, damn well missed it again
Haven't seen it for maybe a year
For all I know they cancelled the damn thing
Been one of my very worst fears
My biggest scare is nodding off at the wheel
Happened once, scared me to death
Woke up with a start, but still on the road
Pulled over as you might have guessed
Sat there shaking uncontrollably for a while
Till I was ready to get back on the road
The first and last time it happened to me
Still a horrible feeling of forebode
© Jack Ellison 2013
Sleepy eyes don't compromise
When Sandman makes his call
Eyelids droop and slowly close
As head begins to fall
Try to fight fatigue at night
But you will not succeed
Dreams demand their place in line
And we must all take heed
So close your eyes and drift away
In slumbers soft embrace
The stars above will stand their guard
So you can sleep in peace
Rockman
Windows of soul
On misted terrain
Some narrow viewpoints
From wind twisted pane
Some climb a ladder
stepping on heads
to get loftier views
and are lowered instead
Others find pleasure
By closing the blinds
Some stop to think
and blink
poets
wink
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