Our brains need sleep. We all know that. Some of us need more sleep than others, but none of us can survive without it. The internet tells me “The longest recorded time without sleep is approximately 264 hours, or just over 11 consecutive days. Although it’s unclear exactly how long humans can survive without sleep, it isn’t long before the effects of sleep deprivation start to show. After only three or four nights without sleep, you can start to hallucinate.” (www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep)
And so why, if my over-so-clever brain knows I need sleep, does it refuse to do its duty by closing down for the evening?
Deep dreamless sleep Living to the beat of my own drum Too tired to run I just want to sleep That type of deep dark sleep in which Dreams do not invade Yes, that peaceful sleep. I used to once, When there was still innocence And fewer monsters lurking In the recesses Laying in wait Ready for the chase. But now there are just too many Memories Regrets Ruminations And recriminations Disappointments Reproaching comments Burdens too heavy to carry alone Too dangerous to offload. Waiting for the moon I don’t sleep anymore I simply watch the moon Give way to the sun And when night is done I get up and push through the day Until I can, once more lay in wait for the moon.
Angele Toomey Poetry 