Sleep Poem by Cherie Mort

Grandmother calls out to me in the morning
I start to get up, but Somnus drags me back to bed
''Just a little longer, '' he murmurs
''I have to go, '' I say urgently, but he nuzzles into my shoulder blades and wraps his arms around my midsection
I sigh, and say, ''Well, maybe just five more minutes...''
The next time Grandmother calls out though, she is livid
Red splotches crawl up her neck onto her face
I shudder and crawl under the covers in fear before she reprimands me again
Somnus is nowhere to be found, melted into my bedsheets like butter
So, slowly, I start to rise and begin my day