If you struggle with insomnia, this poem will speak to you.

Staying at home recently has been both a blessing and a curse. It's given us extra time with family, for projects, and, of course, plenty of stress and maybe a little too much closeness. Insomnia and pandemic nightmares are real, and people all over the world are up at all hours trying anything they can to get a few hours of shut-eye.

Insomnia often inspires creativity, and this local writer shared an original poem with us, addressing insomnia that affects her—and many others. Inspired by the recent readings of books by celebrities, this poem is for all the night owls, the keepers of the dark, and the dreamers constantly chasing that elusive thing called a good night's sleep. 

Insomniac's Plea

by Danielle DeGroot

I've written a story I'd like to share
on behalf of insomniacs everywhere.

The moonlight shines, its gentle light that ebbs and flows,
Here we are again, old friend... I know...

It’s quiet, it's chill.
Everything is finally still.
The kids are asleep,
don’t make a single peep.
No noise, no distractions,
No questions, no fights.
No incessant chatter
about things that really
don’t f*cking matter.
Just the tranquil silence of the night.

So why can’t I f*cking sleep?
Don't tell me to count those goddamn sheep,
I really just f*cking want to sleep.

My mind won’t stop, it's full of thought,
What this is? What it’s not.
I still can't sleep, f*ck it—maybe I’ll smoke some more pot.
If that doesn’t work, there's always tequila shots.

Great idea… I’ll walk the dog,
Perhaps the night air will break this fog.

It's late, I know,
Yet my phone screen still glows,
Down rabbit hole, after rabbit hole, I go.
The internet never sleeps,
Late nights are perfect for a random creep,
Because again...
I cannot f*cking sleep.

The thoughts I have in the twilight hours are deep and intense;
Everything from solving world peace to how will I pay this month’s rent?
A nature show… sure, let’s learn about oceans.
Maybe I can finally f*cking sleep
listening to sounds from the deep.

Oh, it’s working. I feel it, it's there
lurking lighter than the air,
The very thing I long for.
My eyes have grown heavy, dear.
Oh, yes, sweet joyous slumber,
I feel it so very near.
But will it find me?
F*ck if I know.
Just close my eyes, inhale the musky air,
The clock says what... oh, I don’t  f*cking care.
Grab it, that sleep hovering right there...

Oh, holy sh*t!
What the F*CK is that intrusion?
Is this some f*cked-up, cruel illusion?
That loud noise that permeates and jars my brain…
Have I finally gone insane? 

Alarm, OMG.
You evil bastard. You won this game.
I’ve lost another night of sleep.
Today will be more of the same,
I’ll be a walking zombie,
Asleep while on my feet.

So tired, so ready, just want to sleep.
Another day of strong coffee and tea, hoping for what may never be. 
Dreaming of that pillow-soft, 
A silent night,
A gentle rumble. 
F*ck my life...
Why can't I have the gift of slumber?

Tonight, I know, will be like the others, alone in silence. 
Nestled here in my keep,
Just hoping, begging for some f*cking blessed, glorious ... sleep. 

Can you relate to this author's struggle? How do you beat insomnia? Goodnight. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite.