Sleep,

interrupted —

conducive

neither to rest

nor dreams.

Ache of hips and

— roll over —

shoulders

— back —

Eyes tight-squeezed.

Tongue pressed

to teeth

in a jaw ill-

fit.

 Beyond

the blanket’s heap,

time’s passage,

marked in increments

blue and ghostly.

Words and worries

and…song

— unbidden —

crowd

in looping chorus

— repeat —

— repeat —

Until sleep becomes

the dream.

 

— C.Birde, 9/19