afraid of sleeping

sometimes i am afraid of sleeping
so much needs to be done
my daughter is only eight

this room feels small
light is too expensive
heater works too well
babies suffer most
nurses are indifferent
test came back inconclusive
can you come back tomorrow?

there’s always one guy
bombastic, annoying
talks to be heard
my kidneys keep bleeding
i want to stab his eyes out
with metal legs from a waiting room chair

symptoms finally fade
somehow this always happens

i am tired
i don’t sleep
i don’t have extra money
i don’t want to speak Spanish
i have high blood pressure
i am told i am dying

my eyes turn to stone
unconsciousness looms

so distant

and my daughter is still eight
there’s so much left to do

© 2009 Jack Henry