Another Long Night Poem by Kelsey Gallant

Breathe
Just breathe
I fight the fatigue that incarcerates me
Eyes open
Heart broken
Here for however long you need me to be

We watched two a.m. come and go
As you ranted and raged against the world
Then three, then four, five-thirty and the sun awoke
You lifted your tired eyes
We'd made it through another long night

Be
Just be
I'm running on less than two hours of sleep
But that's okay
I'll stay
By your side until all of the demons recede

I watched your emotions ebb and flow
Anger to despair to the lowest of lows
I stayed, I prayed, and finally the sun awoke
You met my tired eyes
We'd made it through another long night

And tonight
Will be just as difficult
I don't know when this cycle will end
But I refuse to lose my friend

So I'll be here
Feeling helpless but knowing I'm making a difference
Only once your breathing has become peaceful and slow
Will I allow my eyes to close

Ten p.m. and I'm watching your mood swing to and fro
Heart aching, wishing I could imbue you with hope
All you see is darkness, I will not leave you alone
Exhaustion pounds at my mind
It's going to be another long night

We'll watch four a.m. come and go
The minutes stretch into hours under the sky's dark cloak
You'll tell me to go get some rest, I'll shake my head no
Soon the sun will rise
And we'll have made it through another long night