Sleep

Deprived of your beauty,
your restful quiet,
peaceful dreams of the subconscious…

Slumber escapes me
while in the silence of wee hours
others reap your sweet reward.

Am I not worthy of your gifts,
your revitalizing strength,
body refueling?

This game you play,
compelling eyes open in staring gaze―
tired, burning, gritty.

I give you—sleep robber,
your devilish due;
pacing cold floors in bare feet.

Haunted by yesteryear,
quaking at forebodings,
I long for a comatose night.

But I ask, “Am I victim or villain
in this bloodless war
at midnight hour?”

Alas, I go finally
to my bedchamber,
beseeching my captor for blessed sleep.

Order