It started with a howling clock – a coyote or a wolf
Hair prickling feral screams in disoriented darkness
Nowhere I can identify not even the when
And then there was the wailing of cats outside a window
Human wailing didn’t sound like mine but my mouth
Was open pupils dilated I’m not here

Let me explain; I never want to sleep

In hospital gown sneaking from dim room
No surprise sighs of exasperation
Give more medication just knock her out
Benadryl Ambien NyQuil or Valium
Runs down the halls and slides in slippers
Sounds cuter when they call it “the jitters”
More like inky terror heavy on my chest
Dragging down to the hell that’s hidden at the bottom of the bed

Let me explain; I never want to sleep

I let my lovers take my body but never
The remote control I need to control sound and light
Need them to fight back the shadows
Don’t ask me what time I shut my eyes
If I stayed up until sunrise do you really think
Curtains open or melatonin have ever brought me peace

Let me explain; I never want to sleep