Sunday, September 24, 2023

B is for BLESSED SLEEP #AtoZChallenge

April #AtoZChallenge and #PoetryMonth
 
Three goals I had in mind while writing my collection of linked poetry:
1. To celebrate my appreciation of life
2. To experience the process of writing linked poetry, a form of Japanese renshi
3. To give thanks for and better appreciate a life well-lived.
 
The flowers are a colorful bonus for the #AtoZChallenge
 
***   ***   ***
 
B is for Blessed Sleep and Bougainvillea
 
Scene in Kaimuki on O'ahu
photo by Gail Baugniet
 

Blessed Sleep
 
With eyelids squeezed tight
you count down from ten
then twenty, fifty, a hundred
to no avail. 

Silence begs for shouting
to distract the thoughts
that won’t allow, grant, permit
blessed sleep. 

Sirens peel strips of flesh
from your insomniac mind,
daring fingers and lips
to remain still.

 ***   ***   ***

This poem describes an accelerating reaction, as a taunting voice issues a dare to find peace outside the pain of noisy chaos. Sleeplessness leads to growing agitation. Worries mount, seeping into the conscious mind and likely assuring that any hope of sleep is futile.

What thoughts surfaced as you read the words of this poem?

10 comments:

  1. Hi Gail - sleep can be blessed, but if you can't nod off ... it must be so difficult. I'm grateful I'm blessed and can sleep ... and I love bougainvillea - cheers Hilary

    http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/b-is-for-british-breeds-introduction.html

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    1. So pleased to have you drop by, Hilary, and especially grateful to hear you are blessed with restful sleep.

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  2. I hate not being able to sleep - the more you want to, the less you can! http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com (Extraordinary Women)

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    1. My mother did her best worrying while laying in bed at night, so she said. Difficult to put those worries aside with just a change into night clothes.

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  3. That's a good one. I wish I could do Haikus. They are so creative and convey a lot.

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    1. I love haiku as much as linking poetry, Parul. With such few words, so much is relayed to the reader.

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  4. When I have difficulty falling asleep, nothing seems to help. You've caught that feeling with "Sirens peel strips of flesh". Yeah, that's it.

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    1. Thank you, Jacqui. I seldom have trouble sleeping but it only takes one time to understand that feeling.

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  5. Hi Gail! What a blessed coincidence that this poem speaks exactly what I went through last night. It was such an agony falling to sleep last night with endless thoughts and voices running through head. Loved your short poem..you seem to have a wonderful flair with words. Here is mine if you are interested. Would love to know your thoughts. Day 2 - B for Blissful Boredom https://pensense.blogspot.in/2017/04/blissful-boredom.html

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  6. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, the hot and humid weather makes sleep virtually impossible at this time of year.
    I can relate to the sleeplessness...you feel drained.
    As we move into autumn, the weather will cool down and normal sleep patterns will return.
    Writer In Tranait

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