The prompt for Day 22 from Napowrimo.net: “The idea is to write a poem in which two things have a fight. Two very unlikely things, if you can manage it.” After much thought and deliberation (and loss of sleep), I chose the insomniac fighting sleep!
Insomniac Fights Sleep
The pillow hot,/On both sides/…Haven’t
Slept all night, too late/To dream of sleep. . . (Anna Akhmatova)
Sleep Speaks:
I am so peaceful
I am so kind
I am so healing
Why do you flight me?
Insomniac Speaks:
Oh, I can’t surrender
I have so many thoughts
competing for space in my mind
and some to worry about!
I might miss something
If I go to sleep. I must win &
keep my eyes open!
Sleep Speaks:
Insomniac, close your eyes.
Breathe deeply, surrender.
I demand it!
Insomniac Speaks:
No! No! I must get out of bed,
drink a cup of chamomile,
find my pen & journal,
write this idea I have for a poem!
Sleep Speaks:
Surrender, sleep my poet, sleep.
Insomnia Speaks:
I am counting backwards now.
100 breathe in
99 breathe out
98 breathe in
97 breath out
96 . . .
Sleep Speaks:
Surrender, my little one,
Sleep coos to the counting insomniac.
Insomniac Speaks:
Is that daylight I see on the blind?
I really can’t surrender.
Jacquelyn Markham 4/22/2024
Poet Voice 