Slumpless

There is a ragged breath that rasps its way out just before sleep beckons

It speaks of trapped thoughts let out like a cat into the night.

I am never exhaling with the full force of my lungs

Not until that moment in the dark where frantic wisps of all the itchy things I’ve done burst forth and dance on my covers.

It’s the shit show and I’m front row.

No clapping here as I cover my eyes with trembling fingers.

All I see are shards of the day

Here now to pierce my soul as they rip through my guts

Their incessant replaying of all the things I would rather forget.

Their beautifully ugly embellishments bringing heat to my cheeks over and over.

Nowhere to go but clamber back behind the curtain of my sleeping eyes

To the tepid waters of my longterm brain

There they shall remain

Each day honing their skills to cut the heart of me right from under my nose

Even in slumbering repose.

(C) Slumpless