Sleep

By Amanda Girard

It's about to overtake me
My body lies completely limp
My mind entirely vulnerable
Like a creature missing its exoskeleton

My eyes flick open
And I bolt upright
A warm pink blanket wrapped
Around my shoulders

It has hit me again
It's not fair, that it rears
Its rotted and repressed head
When I feel as weak as when

I walk home in the dark
One day, I will not know
What it's like to go to sleep
Or wake up from a vivid dream

I'll never feel the sun
On the back of my neck
Or the unwelcome chill of winter
I am as fragile as a glass swan