How Pleasant Is The Prospect Of A Secure And Restful Sleep Poem by Reginald Reid

AND SO TO BED

Must I surrender to the night
that all encompassing dark light?
Shall I then feel the drowsiness of sleep
that time and place where dreams and nightmares keep?
Will sounds and movement stir my restless soul
or will my mind and body then be whole?

Will fantasy and aspiration cradle me
or tangled talismans of past times steal my liberty?
Shall winter cold or summer heat
disturb my mind's much needed quiet retreat?
And how will I know that I am free from harm?
Will I be protected by some unseen spell or charm?

Will bedclothes then be my cocoon
as I lay swaddled in my special room
warm and comforting? Familiar old perfume
to my senses as my breathing sings its favourite tune
while my mind revolves as if to dance
spinning deeper into its pleasure trance.

But will I wake to dark and starry night
or to the morning sunlight strong and bright?
Shall it be that I might leave this life without another word
and so my greatest wish never be heard?
I surrender now to sleep
and hope eternal do I keep.