Cruel Sleep Poem by Prafulla Kumar Panda

O cruel, impudent sleep
i warn you don't peep
while she is jubilant and at ease,
and her heart takes a giant leap
when she has drunk the wine of youth and vigour,
your presence deems improper

go and hide your ugly face
in the courtyard or in the barn, or
go to convalesce where waits an insane man; or
go to the next door child who waits with a belly pain; or
go to the sun-burnt labour; or
the sailor who has safely sailed ashore

conceal your indolence and dastardly look,
she is all exuberant
and let her many dishes cook
ssh! a woman's fury is more than the volcano
can bring tsunami in a silent ocean
can inflict you many a pain
leaving no injury or stain
can shake your entity
if she learns that,
you are an un-invitee

know how my petite lady
laden with youth, exuberance and beauty
has waited for my return from thousand miles
how can you be so foolish
and can't perceive it from her courtly smiles,
and from her brimming love and youthful styles?

watch her toxic eyes
that sway like a swan on furrowed reel,
and her mosaic lips
that are impatient on thousand topics...

O sleep! you do come
when we are sick,
then we'll pick you as a chum,
and host you from night till morn

don't await this night,
await until our state of decrepit.

©Prafulla Kr. Panda, India.
All rights reserved.