tired but sleep won’t come
sleep has become a cat
she wants
what she wants
when she wants it
not a second before

i’ve rattled the pillow
gently called out it’s name

but damn it all
if i’m not ready when it calls

sleep waits hidden
under the chair
to pounce on my head

i need to buy sleep a collar
with a shiny silver bell
so i can hear her stalk
down the hall at night

i’ll show her

if she ever shows up again

sleep is a fickle little shit
but i love her
just the same

even if she doesn’t love me
except on her terms