Normally I sleep well

Waking up feeling refreshed

But today was something unusual

I went to bed at the normal time’

fell asleep with no problem

then I woke up at 3:30am

tried so hard to go back to sleep

tossing and turning

breathing and seething

I kept checking the time

after an eternity it was still only 4am

I tried laying ever so still

holding my breath and waiting

sleep evaded me for some unknown reason

I began to think what may have caused this

no excess of food or drink the night before

no crazy caffeinated drink near bedtime

no particular thing worrying me to stay awake

the clock ticked on ever so slowly to 4:45 am

I tried counting sheep but the numbers were too great

yawning at 5:20am

I wanted so hard to fall asleep

making deals with the sleep gods

promising to be a better person

it made no difference at 6:25AM

light was peeking under the curtains

morning was beckoning but I was too tired to get up

I finally gave up at 7:30AM

no chance for more sleep in bed

I got up and made some tea

calm but weary as I drank it

I struggled through the morning

I waded slowly through the afternoon

laying down for a desperate nap that never came

wondering why my sleep was stolen from me

bedtime came around ever so slowly

tossing and turning for another eternity

eventually I fell asleep

a long dream filled welcome sleep

I woke up clearly remembering those dreams

but soon forgot about them

it was 7:30am and I felt so much better

I said a big thank you to the gods of sleep

please do not deprive me again