Let Yourself Sleep Poem by Diana van den Berg

Late in the night
when your work is done
and your fires are out
turn out the harsh light

and pull the panflute lullabies
of darkness
around you like a caress
and open your clenched mind
in wild, liberating abandon
wide... wide.. wide
for endless summer days’ sun and song;
feel soft beachsand
fill the hollows of your back
and listen to the wavelets
rush up the beach to lull you
and let them tumble softly
into the dream-spaces of your mind
before they wash
the remnants of your worry-thoughts
away... away... away
to dissolve into the ocean blue
and let sleep’s secret longings
pour into your waiting mind
the peace that passeth all understanding
until you are
floating... floating... floating

and immerse yourself
in the moment’s grace
in the embrace of sleep,
long and deep, long and deep,
a healer of the day’s woes
and a bolster to take the morrow’s
sorrows and joys
as thorns and roses.

Savour with thankfulness, Sleep,
blessed, glorious, beloved Sleep,
delicious, nutritious
satiating feast
for the wearied body,
the bewildered mind
and the hungry soul
sleep... sleep... sleep, glorious sleep.

(28 October 2012)