I cannot sleep

I cannot sleep its late its early time for sleep and all I hear whispers are words not the voices of dreams but words echoing and circling like bats spiralling up in darkness who unlocked the caverns of imagination? who pushed the door ajar? the sand is seeping through and

I cannot sleep my body aches all over and will not relax words images sensations tastes swell up to drown me keep me wakeful in the early morning no moon but new tonight a mad and mournful mo poke quiet now

I cannot sleep under the stars above the water only streetlight down the hill all other lights are blissful sleep encompassed souls within are still there is no wind inner nights the air is warm and still the trees are thick with out windows braced my breath is shallow chest tight tried muscle

I cannot sleep its deep evade me its fish swim on with on regard tonight every one's peaceful I am at war with restless thoughts who drive me on charioteers to whip me lathered and foaming

I cannot sleep the empty house is demon filled tomorrow advances all adventure in its arms I curl dry nautilus embraced against exhaustion

I cannot sleep words come to tease and taunt and test and try on a new dress every second my desk is dark my dragons watch a companionable moth flutters in the dim light above I flutter at the door key forgotten to push hard

I cannot sleep and so I don't but find content in wakefulness too tired for else this night will pass and take me will its soft unbroken dance upon the shadows of a sleeping land I will lie down with the stars when the sun empties sticky light across the world and find a rhyme less rhythm I am the watch the guardian my eyes gate your dreams my hands hold your tears take each breath slowly as I breathe now in now out with you