20150801: The Deep Darkness of the Night

It is past midnight and I cannot sleep.

There is deep darkness outside.

I can see the shadows of the tress

Outside the window, framed,

Outlined against a dark grey sky.

The air is still; the leaves are motionless,

And the scene through the window 

has the quietness that only night can bring. 

I cannot sleep. A usual problem for me;

I often wake in the night several times,

And now I have stopped resenting 

these episodes spent contemplating nothingness, 

And have come to enjoy the quiet solitude -

Luxuriating in the voluptuousness 

of the enveloping stillness of the darkness,

Almost reluctant to return to sleep.

I cannot sleep.  A usual problem for me 

It is often pain that awakes me -

And I am forced to sit for awhile 

To allow the pain to dissipate 

Enough to return to the sleep that causes the pain

That wakes me again and again 

Throughout the long night - a long night

That used to be an ordeal, to be endured.

There is deep darkness outside.

And as I awake again, a usual problem for me

I lie and give myself up to the quietness 

Of the darkness and the soft enveloping shadows:

I welcome this time now when I cannot sleep -

I lie and listen to the quiet of the night,

And watch the leaves of the tress 

Against the stillness of the dark grey sky.

30 July 2015 03:37

232 words. 32 lines.  

submitted to AllPoetry.com contest "Look directly in front of you" hosted by 'Feelee Or' 

Prompt:  Look directly in front of you and tell me what you see. Describe it, get creative, reflect on the object or person.....whatever it may be. Have fun and make me truly see and feel the moment your eyes touched the subject. 10 Lines or more."

Won honourable mention 6 Aug 15,