[cherrychapstik]

I'm in a poetry writing class and I wrote this recently for it.

Insomnia

Awake again. The clock flashes its sickening red numbers.

2:41 AM AM AM!

My mind is collapsing

From lack of REM. My blue Tommy Hilfiger comforter

Sneers at me. SleepSleepSleep.

Not much thought. My brain is soupy.

Darkness stares back at me.

Black black black.

Dares me to panic.

Silence.

Anxiety starts to eat through me.

My stomach is on a roller coaster

Going downhill at the speed of light

Nausea and butterflies jump every night ride.

Upstairs someone turns over.

Their bed creeeeeks and crawls

With their between dream

Turns.

Upstairs someone snoozes.

Next to me he slumbers.

At my parents’ they must pop pills

But still they sleep.

Right here all I am is Jealousy

And Empty.

4:00

5:00

6:00

Upstairs they creeeek to work.

Tears open up like canals on my face.

Icy salt hits my tongue.

Hopeless.

He wakes up. It’s okay. Calm down.

He’s back to sleep so easy.

If I hold my breath will I pass out and sleep?

7:00

8:00

9:00

BEEP BEEP BEEP.

Shrill, callous notes from the alarm.

I want it to burn.

But I get up

Greasy hair

Not too hungry

Go to school

Zombie.

[Mike Hooker]

I know nothing about poetry, but I think you've summed up insomnia really well. You nailed the alarm clock–the thing every insomniac hates. I know the feeling of jealousy toward those who can fall asleep quickly and sleep all night without waking up. Great job!

[Author]

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