Sleep

Graveyard is a hard shift to work

The weight of the night rests on my brow, 

as I wait for first suns light to crest the horizon.  

A patient sentinel I have become, 

I embrace this vigil as I endure. 

I resist sirens slumber call 

"Just a little shut eye" 

sweet sleep seduction. 

2 hours more is an eternity, 

when desiring my beds welcoming arms, 

eyes burn, thoughts slow, 

java has no power here.  

I will yet continue on, wearing a mask of awareness, 

even as my mind wonders off.  

Oh night won't you end, 

when my shift is over, 

there will be no waiting for oblivions kiss, I will pass out. 

I will fall fast, fabulously fainting into rest's bosom.  

The shift is almost done, 

wouldn't you know it, 

second wind has come again,  

there will be no sleep,

for at least for a couple hours more, 

the irony is not lost on me.

Author's Note

Boy I am tired....

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Great write !
My son does that shift for months on end it’s hard
I worry about him not getting sun
Or enough sleep

What do you do

[Dave W.]

Security at a front desk

[Boring~Potato]

Lol, I wanna sleep too. I am running on 2 hours of sleep with anxiety and stress.

[Dave W.]

Sleep can be a cruel mistress that teases

[John the Baptist]

During my working days, I worked a lot of graveyard shifts. The bad part was when I couldn't get to sleep after the shift was over.

[Dave W.]

Yes, grave can be so rough sometimes i take melatonin to help

[Writergurl]

I have problems sleeping, I did enjoy this write though

[Dave W.]

I am glad you enjoyed the writing

[GlendaK]

I see him...mask of friendliness,
Nodding a quick hello to strangers,
Without hesitation, they pass.
He nods at the pretty women,
The hesitation.
~
(I sympathize, really, but couldn't resist ;)

[Dave W.]

Thankyou Glenda for the review, I'm glad you are back

[Marie]

Yes, sleep can be as elusive at times. Meditation is a wonderful tool to pave the way for sleep because it is effective in helping us to fully relax, put the cares of the day away and sail on The Sea of Sleep to dream the sweetest dreams. Excellent depiction in the poem which is nicely inked. Thank you for sharing...

[Dave W.]

Thankyou for the review, I work all night and sometimes it's hard to stay awake

[Marie]

Yes, a lot of shift workers find that...

[Arundass TP]

I love night... because I can sleep.... nicely written poem

[Dave W.]

Thankyou very mcu

[Dave W.]

Much is what I meant say not Marvel Cinematic Universe

[camac1994]

that's funny

[Dave W.]

Good evening Cam hope it was a good day

[camac1994]

It is now. I hope you're well.

[Dave W.]

Ditto dude

[camac1994]

You know better.

[Dave W.]

Just glad you're back.

[camac1994]

I think I'm just storage now

[Dave W.]

Storage? Hopefully not.

[camac1994]

eh, no biggie