Lately she
finds sleep propped
on fragile sticks // vinegar nights
their pale heat
blanching the sky.
Closed eyes reveal
nothing
but absence // unbalanced
retreat of shadows
into thought.
It's all a
constant toppling,
reaching for Earth
but thrashing on...
this cursed flight
Written for dVerse Quadrille Monday “In a poem of exactly 44 words, use the word sleep”
Thanks for the prompt, Sarah!
Out of the Cave 
Thank you – I love this slightly off kilter, disconcerting poem – it works so well with the Dali. I’ve taken the liberty of adding it to Mr Linky so that other dVersers can see it. I’m afraid Ididn’t know your name, so I’ve used abigfatcanofworms. If you don’t want it there, let me know, and I’ll remove it.
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Thanks Sarah! I stopped using Mr Linky last year when I was having treatment and had very little energy so I felt bad about not reading other people’s responses. But I have continued to use the prompts. Especially the quadrilles. Your generosity in reading and commenting has inspires me to go back to Mr Linky. Thank you.
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Wonderful! Love the imagery.
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Thanks Bob. Much appreciated.
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Oh gosh, I do hope that you’re not suffering with insomnia, Worms. Tell me it’s not so.
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I certainly have a lot more trouble sleeping than I used to before chemo.
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I’m so sorry that the affects continue and continue.
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Thanks, Misky. ❤ I guess it's Hobson's choice – potential side effects or death.
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Well, that rather throws some good sense at the scales, doesn’t it.
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LOL Rather. I always love the opportunity to use the word “rather” as a whole sentence.
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Sleep is nothing any of us can count on, and when it pouts, it hurts us. May you be able to woo your sleep’s return ❤
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Thank you! 🧡
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You’re welcome ❤
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I haven’t seen Dali in a while. This painting, I can see it just reading your words. “vinager nights” is such a perfect description of a sour night’s sleep.
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Thanks, K! 😊 It was all the white in Dali’s painting that got me to vinegar. Lol. Pure word association … white… vinegar.
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Oh sweet; I mean sour. 😂 I love how your kind works, worms.
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As someone who’s battled severe chronic insomnia since age 11, this one resonates with me. I hope your sleep pattern returns to normal. It’s definitely no fun to be exhausted–bone-tired–and staring at the ceiling at 4:00 a.m., knowing you’ve got stuff to do in a few hours. Soul-crushing stuff. As always, your imagery is stellar and vivid. Nicely done. 🙂
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This is a good one and I always enjoyed your poems. Can you please contact me at sometimesg@yahoo.com ?
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Thank you Grace! I just flicked you an email. 🙂
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