sleep over
Why do we long for more sleep in the morning
then at noon, laugh and meander over frivolities of our daily business,
then at night, groan "one more minute" from another sleep?
When does the ever-glowing street lamp ever cease?
at dawn?
Mothers' bodies, chopping knives in the kitchen for
sons and daughters tucked in bed,
would be found frozen red on the floor by then
We, awaken, unnerved, paralyzed,
grip our very sheets.
underneath is the Shadowy Figure
slamming doors for fear's sake
Say "we will never sleep" but we will
Scrub the eyes from daylight
to the pulsing heartbeats unseized once again