Kept Without Sleep. Poem by Fay Slimm

Rolling mists persistently
Invade my dim sight.
Wandering attention benumbs
Brain's activity, blinded by light.

The sheer depth of a sigh helps close
Eyes, which glaze at the lightning
Drop of a tin tray - loud but what care I
If you threaten thus, that I will die
When I fall asleep, - but sleep I must.

The brain was created to give in
To stupor, then to renew, so I have to
Give place to the need, and sleep too.

Breathing deeper I doze into states
Between dreaming and waking, until
Body starts, then trembles begin, as
Aware of the shock of each violent shaking,
I try hard to lift up heavy head.

Pleading, I dropp to my knees,
Offering gold if I can but unfold
My taut upright frame, and again
Take the natural ease of someone asleep.

So, let me sleep please,
Or, otherwise soon I will be dead.