The moon in the bureau mirror
looks out a million miles
(and perhaps with pride, at herself,
but she never, never smiles)
far and away beyond sleep, or
perhaps she’s a daytime sleeper.
By the Universe deserted,
she’d tell it to go to hell,
and she’d find a body of water,
or a mirror, on which to dwell.
So wrap up care in a cobweb
and drop it down the well
into that world inverted
where left is always right,
where the shadows are really the body,
where we stay awake all night,
where the heavens are shallow as the sea
is now deep, and you love me.
Ugh, I hate having insomnia. I had the hardest time falling asleep last night. I was okay during the day but by the afternoon it hit me that I was really tired. So, enjoy the poem by Elizabeth Bishop while I go catch up on some sleep. More book talk tomorrow.
I hope you get some sleep! I love Elizabeth Bishop.
I like your poetic postings also.
Suen~a con los angelitos.
Hope you get some decent sleep! Lately my problem has been trying to stay awake past 9:00. How sad is that!!
I’m a chronic insomniac, so I empathise. I hope you sleep well.
Insomnia is a nightmare. I hope you slept well after this post!
Here is another poem 🙂
Insomnia
by Julia Darling
Sleep is a friend I have fallen out with,
I wish she would come back to me.
I bring her Valerian, milk and honey,
I plead with her, I promise her dreams.
I wander the house listening for her voice
lisping in the cupboards, beyond the walls.
She has sent me here, it’s not the same
as the world by day. I have no friends.
I am alone in slumbering rooms
with snoring chairs and bare faced clocks
I used to love her velvet arms,
her fur kisses, her soundless caves.
If only she would tell me what I’d done
and what it is she wants from me.
Beautiful poem, first of all. Elizabeth Bishop is fantabulous. Sorry to hear about the insomnia. I’ve had bouts of it in the past, and my roomie in college had a horrible case. I recommend wearing a sleeping mask AND earplugs. The only problem then is that you won’t hear the alarm and someone will throw a pillow at your head to wake you. It worked for the roomate. 😀
Dorothy W. – I did get a good night’s sleep – yay! I love Bishop too.
Isabel – Glad you liked that. Now you know why I didn’t call you. I was passing out yesterday afternoon 🙂
Danielle – Oh that’s not good. It’s cutting into your reading time. ha.
Dark Orpheus – Sorry to hear that. I went through a bad period of insomnia a long time ago and it was awful. Now it’s every once in a while. I’m knocking wood and hoping it doesn’t return again!
Catherine – Love that! Thank you for posting it.
Andi – She is fantabulous isn’t she? I need to use fantabulous more often 🙂 Good tips although missing the alarm would not be good.
Oh, truer words were never spoken!
I’ve been suffering insomnia pretty much since last August. (I generally get 4 hours of shut-eye on average.) So, I sympathize!
Insomnia has solved a lot of problems for me in that when I’m awake in the dark with nothing to do I “write.” I’ve actually solved plot problems in my books, and I’ve come up with titles. Granted, I have to remember them in the morning, but I usually do.
I hate it as well 🙁
But, in response to your comment, I think I’d mentioned my graduation n passing but not very loudly. Thanks for congrats! Now if only I wasn’t suddenly expected to be a grown-up…
LK – 4 hours? Oh that’s awful. Hope it gets somewhat better. Have you tried anything yet?
Karen Olson – Well, at least it serves a purpose. Too funny! I’m afraid any big ideas I would definitely forget.
Eva – Yep, there is that downside 🙂
I had a hard time falling asleep the other night too. Weird, maybe it was a world wide thing. 🙂
You poor thing, Iliana, I hate not being able to sleep at night, I feel like a train wreck the next morning. I hope things improve…some people say a warm cup of lightly brewed camomile tea can work wonders and try putting some lavender oil on your pillow if you’re not averse to the scent…apparently it induces sleep. Let us know how you fare.
I see you had a better night’s sleep, yay! I’m a bad, bad sleeper and take Ambien. I got tired of being exhausted all the time and none of the natural remedies worked for me. It felt like giving in, but I’ve been much happier, since.
aka nik – Maybe it was! 😉
Lotus – It is awful isn’t it. I have heard of lavender oil but because of my allergies I’m a bit afraid to try it. Don’t want to not be able to sleep because I’m sneezing. ha,ha. Next time though I’ll have to try chamomile tea. I do like it! Thanks for the tip.
Nancy, aka Bookfool – I hate to give in and go for a pill too – I have sometimes tried Tylenol PM but you gotta do what works right. Glad you have your insomnia under control now. I think mine was just a one day thing. knock wood!