Torment is the first poem in the third section of Reflections titled, Of Things. I believe the poem speaks for itself in a way that most people can relate to, so, without further ado:
Torment
…I fall asleep
.
.
.
I awake
Memories flood my mind What started them?
They simply are
What they are
I feel emptiness
A hole
In my stomach
My face is wet
Hot tears streaming
Run cold onto my pillow
I try to
Compose myself
Nothing avails
I surrender to
A Tsunami
The questions start
Could it have all been different?
Where did it all go wrong?
Why wasn’t I stronger?
The hole widens
The emptiness
Grows deeper
My throat hurts
My eyes itch
I rub them hard
The more I struggle
To regain posture…
Control
The more I lose
I physically hurt
My sore throat
Throbs
My nose
Is stuffed
I cannot breathe
I open
My mouth
It’s dry
I struggle
I breathe
My partner
Lies sleeping
Blessed oblivion
I feel alone
Finally
I sit up
2:50am?
How long?
A hour perhaps?
Two?
An eternity?
This has to stop!
I take a deep,
Deep breath
Mouth open
I rise
Mechanically
Slip on
My slippers
Don my robe
Go downstairs
Hallway
Living room
Kitchen
I make coffee
I sit
I ponder
Coffee in hand
Deliberately sipping I Ponder some more:
Where did all that come from?
Not the first time
Nor the last
This I know
Of this
I am certain
This
My only answer
I drain my coffee
Lethargy sets in
Drained
Exhausted
Mechanically
I head back
Living room
Hallway
Stairs
Bedroom
Drop my robe
Knock off
My slippers
I sit down
5:00am?
I shiver
The coldness
The night air
I slide into bed
Pull up the duvet
It feels
Lovely
Soft
Comforting
Warm
I fall asleep…
Thank you very much. 🙂
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Really loved that!
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Thanks
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very nice poem!
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Thanks Mark.
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Oh, those horrible sleepless nights. You conveyed them perfectly, Kevin. Well done.
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You’re welcome, Kevin. Sleep tight tonight. 🙂
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It’s not for everyone, Mae. The raw emotions stirred can be quite potent on the soul. Hope you’re feeling better.
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Thanks Liz… Me too. Lol
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Thanks, Robbie. This one is just a poem. 🙂
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I feel drained reading this, and yet I feel rewarded by the ending. Well done, Kev.
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Your poem conveys the sleepless night so effectively. I’ve been there, too many times.
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This poem / song is superb, Kevin.
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