And then, there you are beside me in my sleep, by which I mean my non-sleep, the days when a pillow worked like an off switch being long gone, the days when I had an off switch being long gone, but with you there, fingertips breath against the hollow of my spine, I am a tuning dial turned, and the night, sleepless, is almost a song.
I woke up and learned that some folks I know lost their home yesterday -- on top of every other appalling new development on any given morning of 2025.
This is so lovely, Lisa. Your poem has a rhythmic beauty and as sweet cadence that goes deep. IT It is a wonderful testimony to the gift of sleep, the challenge when it is difficult to come by, and the sweey song of comfort. The second stanza is a p[oem all unti itself:
"but with you
there, fingertips breath
against the hollow of my spine,
I am a tuning dial
turned, and the night,
sleepless,
is almost a song."
I love this--"the night/sleepless,/is almost a song." your poem is the loveliest of songs!
I understand. Sleep is a challenge for me. Things like pain, even a little, will keep me up, so I take Tylenol PM on those days. I end up staying up way too late if my mind is churning ideas or anxiety. I have been an earplugs addict since age 12, the first time I went to camp. I’m sensitive to sounds unless I am in some deep state of sleep, and since that doesn’t happen often, I always need them. Also, light will wake me, so when the sun comes up, I’ll also be awake. At night, I cover the Illuminated clock radio and my phone so the light doesn’t wake me up. Sleep is a rare commodity for me, and even on a weekend when I could sleep in, I usually don’t. Try some silicone earplugs and see if that eliminates some sensory input for you. It does help. Get a really comfy mattress and nice, soft sheets and enough blankets to keep you comfy. This might help. Also, no texting late at night or read something really boring.
I do so love a not-page-turning book for bedtime! It sounds like you've been deep in the trenches of insomnia, too. I suspect there are a lot of us in this strange and not so fun club! Thankfully, I'm in a much better place sleep-wise than a few years ago, but I do have to really stick to my evening routine, or things get very wonky.
A routine is very helpful. When I have to work a late shift occasionally, I’m already past my bedtime when I come home, and it’s very hard to unwind immediately. It affects the next day at work significantly.
I take a pill. It's not a simple pill. Simple pill don't work. I take it for yearsor I won't sleep more than 4 hours a night
I'm very talented in my sleep unlike in my waking hours. I've very vivid dreams, including seeing written poems or novels or other works. Funny thing -many years ago I went to the doctor and she asked me in the end "do you see vivid dreams?" I said "why yes how do you know?" She smiled and didn't answer. lol.
I love going to sleep
Especially now, when one wakes up and often just wants the day to end
"I'm very talented in my sleep unlike in my waking hours" might be the most delightful sentence I've read all day, Chen! Thank you for making me smile.
I don't know if you still deal with insomnia. I had a major jury trial with prosecution of double incest double intercourse without consent. I stressed on getting it right for months. But even after a guilty verdict the sleep would not come. I worried all day about whether I would sleep. Finally, I thought I would just quit the ambien the doctor gave me. I went 5 days and finally gave up and took some. I went to sleep specialist and he said I would die from insomnia. Then my sister said she had a friend that was a hypnotist. Not the fair kind. I went five times and read an article that said if you fall asleep quicker than in half an hour you are too tired. It worked. I do not know if that will help, but your you understand and your words ring true.
I'm so glad you found what worked for you! I have a lawyer in my family who also deals with big time insomnia around trials. Once you're in that loop, it's so hard to break out. But I love how hearing that falling asleep quickly means you're too tired jolted your brain into (I assume) a more relaxed state that actually allowed you to sleep! Amazing. I do find that the most important thing I can do is frame the experience of not sleeping as gently and positively as possible for myself because if I start to spiral into anxiety about not sleeping, it's hard to get out of that loop.
Thank you! I also only get drowsy (but don't sleep) during travel nowadays. Once upon a time, I'd get on a plane and conk out so hard, then wake up with a stiff neck when it was time to land.
I woke up and learned that some folks I know lost their home yesterday -- on top of every other appalling new development on any given morning of 2025.
.
These days, sleep feels almost
negligent, like curtains pulled
against a housefire. I dream
of March-born trinkets
(yellow bells, finch song)
while embers wink and catch.
.
When I wake, the sun is glaring
from the ridge. It has already
swept the building; I am
the best-hidden dust bunny.
I shield my eyes, but only
for a minute—
then, blinking, start to absorb
the next total loss.
This is such a beautiful and painful poem - painful in the way that being awake to a hurting world will always hurt. ❤️💔
This is so lovely, Lisa. Your poem has a rhythmic beauty and as sweet cadence that goes deep. IT It is a wonderful testimony to the gift of sleep, the challenge when it is difficult to come by, and the sweey song of comfort. The second stanza is a p[oem all unti itself:
"but with you
there, fingertips breath
against the hollow of my spine,
I am a tuning dial
turned, and the night,
sleepless,
is almost a song."
I love this--"the night/sleepless,/is almost a song." your poem is the loveliest of songs!
Thank you so much, friend! 💚 Your comments are always so thoughtful in their detail.
I understand. Sleep is a challenge for me. Things like pain, even a little, will keep me up, so I take Tylenol PM on those days. I end up staying up way too late if my mind is churning ideas or anxiety. I have been an earplugs addict since age 12, the first time I went to camp. I’m sensitive to sounds unless I am in some deep state of sleep, and since that doesn’t happen often, I always need them. Also, light will wake me, so when the sun comes up, I’ll also be awake. At night, I cover the Illuminated clock radio and my phone so the light doesn’t wake me up. Sleep is a rare commodity for me, and even on a weekend when I could sleep in, I usually don’t. Try some silicone earplugs and see if that eliminates some sensory input for you. It does help. Get a really comfy mattress and nice, soft sheets and enough blankets to keep you comfy. This might help. Also, no texting late at night or read something really boring.
I do so love a not-page-turning book for bedtime! It sounds like you've been deep in the trenches of insomnia, too. I suspect there are a lot of us in this strange and not so fun club! Thankfully, I'm in a much better place sleep-wise than a few years ago, but I do have to really stick to my evening routine, or things get very wonky.
A routine is very helpful. When I have to work a late shift occasionally, I’m already past my bedtime when I come home, and it’s very hard to unwind immediately. It affects the next day at work significantly.
I take a pill. It's not a simple pill. Simple pill don't work. I take it for yearsor I won't sleep more than 4 hours a night
I'm very talented in my sleep unlike in my waking hours. I've very vivid dreams, including seeing written poems or novels or other works. Funny thing -many years ago I went to the doctor and she asked me in the end "do you see vivid dreams?" I said "why yes how do you know?" She smiled and didn't answer. lol.
I love going to sleep
Especially now, when one wakes up and often just wants the day to end
"I'm very talented in my sleep unlike in my waking hours" might be the most delightful sentence I've read all day, Chen! Thank you for making me smile.
My post today was also insomnia driven.
Oooh I'll go check it out!
Please send me link to open mic. I may not be able to listen but if I can, I will.
I no longer think in terms
Of insomnia
But have sunk into the rhythms
Of biphasic sleep
The sleep of the communion
With the vibrations
Maybe with mythic gods
Or the life forces of nature
The natural sleep
Before the yoke of industrialization
The yoke of modernity
I really like this, Jim! "The yoke of industrialization / the yoke of modernity." So good. I just sent you the zoom info via DM!
And I am now registered. Hopefully the chaotic vibrations of the universe do not prevent me from attending.
I like this Jim. The middle is so nice and adds a mystical sense for me from your poem. :
"The sleep of the communion
With the vibrations
Maybe with mythic gods
Or the life forces of nature"
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Larry. Strange but I didn’t like it too much. Maybe silly perfectionism on my part.
I don't know if you still deal with insomnia. I had a major jury trial with prosecution of double incest double intercourse without consent. I stressed on getting it right for months. But even after a guilty verdict the sleep would not come. I worried all day about whether I would sleep. Finally, I thought I would just quit the ambien the doctor gave me. I went 5 days and finally gave up and took some. I went to sleep specialist and he said I would die from insomnia. Then my sister said she had a friend that was a hypnotist. Not the fair kind. I went five times and read an article that said if you fall asleep quicker than in half an hour you are too tired. It worked. I do not know if that will help, but your you understand and your words ring true.
I'm so glad you found what worked for you! I have a lawyer in my family who also deals with big time insomnia around trials. Once you're in that loop, it's so hard to break out. But I love how hearing that falling asleep quickly means you're too tired jolted your brain into (I assume) a more relaxed state that actually allowed you to sleep! Amazing. I do find that the most important thing I can do is frame the experience of not sleeping as gently and positively as possible for myself because if I start to spiral into anxiety about not sleeping, it's hard to get out of that loop.
Thank you so much, Emmette!
Thank you! I also only get drowsy (but don't sleep) during travel nowadays. Once upon a time, I'd get on a plane and conk out so hard, then wake up with a stiff neck when it was time to land.