Squeeze drops in eyes, swallow
sleep meds, brush teeth. Grope
in dark for pajamas, wool afghan
and warm fuzzy socks. Stuff
orange foam plugs into ears;
muffles husband’s snores.
Fix silicone mask over nose, tighten
Velcro strap wrapped round my head,
toss trunk like hose over headboard.
Breathe pressurized air through nostrils
in trochaic meter.
I sneak between the sheets,
wedge thick pillow under knees.
His elbow juts into my forearm,
I pivot to escape its jab. A knee
crosses over my right shin;
I clench teeth, shift again. My left
leg dangles off one side of the bed.
He turns onto his right side,
I lie dead center in my allocated
post, a momentary truce.
My brain drones in
mumbo jumbo monotones.
Jaw throbs, inner ear hums,
lower backache haunts.
I rise, empty bladder, eat a banana,
search medicine drawer for reinforcements.
Settle on Tylenol. Return to bed.
Toothbrush charger
pulsates eerie blue glow.
Pull covers over eyes,
pray for bedtime peace.
In a list
- Accepted Poems for the 2009 OVW Anthology • next in list
- Social Commentary • next in list
- Memories • next in list
A contest entry
- Then you might know what it's like... by zochit2me.
1200 points, ended March 28, 2009, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Comments Contest Version 2.0 by Bean Sidhe.
700 points, ended April 3, 2009, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Unsung Prewrites! by Justified Inc..
700 points, ended April 2, 2009, 62 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - comfortably numb by candle fly.
540 points, ended May 10, 2009, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Inspire Me by JM Kenyon.
700 points, ended June 24, 2009, 34 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What do you think?
Comments
1 - 26 of 26
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excellent~
Enjoyed the read sis
And the antics you go through with as you pray for bedtime to pass........
Congrats on the Bronze Trophy
I have up some new ones too can't send a link
But do drop by and come see me
Hugs
Susan~~~
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i like this; it feels very well thought out.
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Interesting write. Thanks for giving us an insight to your sleeping habits. I find them very interesting and in some way not all that much different that others. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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This would be so funny if it weren't so true!!! Congratulations on the bronze cup and thank you for sharing.
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Marvelous imageries. What a sleepless night can do to a person. You expressed this well.
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I enjoyed this. One night experiences....I visualized this as I read it. I imagined you did all of this in the dark too. My mom has sleep apnea and a mask but she refuses to use it. When ever I am visiting her she always scares me because she literally stops breathing and her whole body shakes. It's quite a spectacle.
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Ah, J...This is one night, right?..Wow..sounds familiar! Got me wondering about your velcro straps..The trials of sleeping with snorers, etc. Oh, boy You are so descriptive and hilarious! Delightfully? Entertaining!
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The 2nd stanza describes my cpap mask for sleep apnea.
This is a typical night, usually more areas in pain.
Sounds humorous, but not all that funny in reality!
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Sounds like a real nightmare. One I am slightly familiar with. There are so many people who just don't sleep.
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Wonderful Poem
Gee now I see the advantages of sleeping alone. This was delightful and a humorous look into the struggles to get a good nights sleep. Nice imagery within the words! You take care, Sandy
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WOW!!---The trials and tribulations of bedtime woes!
Anything for a good night's sleep!!
A very humorous and enjoyable read!!
Great imagery!
Well Done!
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This was a very nice write although I was confused slightly. Very well done. I like it even though ti confused me some. Thank you for sharing
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SO FUNNY,BUT NOT..would be booping some one over the head with a pillow..lol,nice post on this , good luck
M
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Why does this remind me of my own elusive sleep issues? Every time I get comfortable, my sleeping (and snoring) husband turns and tries to claim the entire bed, including all of the covers. And, since I'm on the bed, he sleepily drapes himself over me.... I had to laugh at the "toss trunk-like tube over headboard. / Breathe pressurized air through nostrils / in trochaic meter." Awesome!!
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Oh this is just too funny. I was reading it aloud and laughing as I read. On the flip side, at the same time I was laughing I was so emersaed in your poem i felt like it was me in your bed. Quite the visual rollercoaster ride.
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OMG! You just described my night time ritual to a TEE!
It's almost heartwarming to know I am not alone! Thanks, Hon, so much.. 
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Oh Ahhhhh!
LOL, I am sitting here with the biggest smile on my face! If you could see it you would laugh, I look like the Cheshire cat!
Oh my this is just a doosie! I will have to say you have captured my laughter and all too familiar episodes of life at bedtime! This is so funny! I loved it, so well done! Great job! Thanks for making me laugh!
Ha ha ha ha ha,
and this!~
"Breathe pressurized air through nostrils
in trochaic meter." OMG!
lol
anddddddddddddddd.....the earplugs? you do that too? he he. My husband snores too!
Bravo!
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Yup. Orange foam earplugs. I usually grope in the dark for those, too. I fund them all over the bedroom floor.
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Ach. My boyfriend and I both suffer from extreme bouts of insomnia regularly so this is a powerful poem for me. Sometimes the only thing I need is the one thing that eludes me so thank God for OTC nighttime meds and in severe cases, Xanax.
I found the level of description here quite refreshing, particularly the whole of stanza five. Lovely work.
Thank you for your entry and good luck in the contest!
- Beán Sidħe -
This speaks volumes to me...
I seem to be having reflective moments right now of turning 50 in a month and where my life has been and might be going...so this really hit home with me...
We all have our demons of daily routines that take us around the day and nights of existence...but when we step out of that existence is when we truly become free...totally free
Thanks for this entry
♥Becky♥
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Great!
I had to get up three times during the night to re-read it
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Thank you for your comment. I'll get up 3 times tonight to reread it!
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Xanax is my best friend. I can so relate to this. Nicely done! Thanks for entering my contest. Good luck. It’s an honor to have you show your work here!
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Excellent
Wow, such a reflective and well expressed poem. Best of luck in the contest.
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LOL! I can SOOOO relate! So can my parents, for that matter. Needs a little touching up here and there as to form, but the decription is perfect!
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O man, can I relate to this! It can be hell and you captured it well.
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