Cat at feet
Hands at sides
A living sarcophagus
Staring into a raven night
Watchful
Waiting shadows
Incubi raping sleep
Ravaging dreams
Jealous comets give chase
To devils of the dark
Stars hammock me on quarter moon
With pen and inky night
Sleepless, moon-whipped
That ecru face
Egging me on
To write
I am the midnight writer
Catching words
From falling stars
Crystals in caves of memory
I beg of the moon
Cover me, nestle me
In duvets
Of goose-down clouds
There is a time
In the wee hours
When even
Night sleeps
And still
I gaze at
Off-white hues of
Insomnia.
-0-
I loved the opening two stanzas–the images there are so strong. The rest feels as though it is a different poem, because the imagery jumps from you, sleepless, to the moon without a join. I think there are two good poems waiting to be made from this one:) x
Well, that’s an interesting take. I’ll think on that. Always do when you critique. Thanks much, Steve, for the read and comment!
Okay…think you’re right, and I posted a linking stanza. When you’re right, you’re right. Thanks soooo much!
Lush… First word that came to my mind after reading the last word. This is lovely. I love the images of dreams, and shadows in this…
Yay, Emma! Thank you so much for your read and acknowledgement!
That works much better:) x
I think so. Thanks again, Steve! {{hugs}}
Some incredible lines in this poem Jacquie: ‘Stars hammock me on quarter moon’ is simply wonderful. ‘Off-white hues of insomnia’ … I can sense your sleeplessness as I read those words
And here I am, awake, reading your words, and loving them! Thanks much, Peter, for your read and comment!
Mortifying sleeplessness presented with such deft precision, this poem shall keep me transfixed for quite some while. Jackie, in this poem you have chosen each word not just for its meaning but more for its phonetics. Therefore “Insomnia” is not just a good read but an unforgettable recitation. Dark side of “Insomnia” is personified. No wonder you ask for “I beg of the moon
Cover me, nestle me/ In duvets/ Of goose-down clouds”. The poem ends, but not the suffering “And still/ I gaze at/ Off-white hues of / Insomnia”. This is brilliant.
O, Jyoti…you are too kind! But of course I relish your words. For anyone who suffers insomnia, I only hope that my words not underscore the affliction, but just let them know there are others keeping company. Thank you so much for your thoughtful read and comment. Much appreciated!
Really like this! You have captured the essence of insomnia in a beautiful and powerful way!
And here I am, awake, looking, searching, and I find your words. Thanks so much, Daphne, for the read and lovely comment!
“Incubi raping sleep
Ravaging dreams” -> YIKES
does this poem mean that you do your best writing at night? or are you writing about someone else?
that’s some relationship with the moon. i think the moon is winning!!
it’s a nice poem.
Hi, Tammy! Yes, I often do my best writing in the wee hours. And it seems I’m not alone. Many writers agree with me here. And yes, I am writing about me, not anyone else. The moon is a huge influence in poetry’; and in moods. Thanks for reading and commenting!
write on midnite writer…though do sneak a wink when you can get it…there are probably some scared sheep out there right not that do not understand metaphor…
Not teaching poetry…I’m attempting to write it. Metaphors are a given. You got it! So, hopefully others will…not that coded here. Pretty straightforward, no? Anyway, thanks for read and comment; always enjoy what you have to say, Brian! Excelsior!
My cat won’t stay at my feet, right up on the keyboard, on my shoulder and back too, depedning on how I sit..haha..great verse.
We all know cats have minds of their own, Pat. lol. Glad you liked the poem. Thanks so much for the read and comment! Excelsior!
You capture all these exasperations with great wit and imagination. It really is like that, waiting for sleep and trying to make the best of it. Fine lines in every stanza. Fine poem.
Ah, Steve! Your words mean alot to me. Thank you so much for the read and the lovely comment! You started my day with a rose! Will look into your entry later today. Cheers!
I am the midnight writer
Catching words
From falling stars
Crystals in caves of memory ….
such great lines, I love it.
Hi! So happy you enjoyed this piece…Thanks so much for the read and comment!
Wonderful, Jackie : ) I too like:
‘Incubi raping sleep
Ravaging dreams’
I can sympathize! I love the shorter verse…so much said with so few words! Look forward to reading more.
-Eva
Eva! Hi, there! I expect many writers/poets have this affliction in common. Glad you liked this piece. I’ll look into your entry later today. Thanks so much for the read and comment!
Its lovely.. and your words…
‘I am the midnight writer
Catching words
From falling stars
Crystals in caves of memory ‘
…captured my imagination… I liked it very much,..
Shashi
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/11/whispers-tears-in-rain.html
Hi Sashi! So glad you connected to this poem! I do appreciate very much your read and supportive comment! Cheers!
you make insomina sound almost appealing ! thanks for the lovely poem x
Believe it or not insomnia has its appeal…at the time…it’s later when it doesn’t! Thanks much for the read and comment!
We meet again, this insomnia and I. You hold me in the throes of the tortured sleeplessness, but with a cosmic awareness that betokens more. Wonderfully crafted images that bring to your threshold of despair and yet invite me to a deeper understanding of sleep, night, you.
Wow!, Charles! You certainly saw alot in that poem! Thank you so much for the thoughtful read and comments!
oh i like…
I am the midnight writer
Catching words
From falling stars… sometimes i’m a midnight writer as well…and the night sleeps or whispers..beautiful
Happy you liked this piece, Claudia. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!
Case in point… some of the very best writing is born of insomnia and maybe thinking we have no words.
Pen, inky night and duvets of goose down sky to get wrapped up in — good, good stuff, my Dear Jackie.
And living sarcophagus, eerie but wonderful imagery!!
Hey Jannie! (will look at your entry tonight!) Yeah, agreed! Best writing is born out of insomnia…at least for me. It’s the stillness..the blackness…that makes me want to fill up that well of night…glad you liked the imagry, the poem. Thanks for your read and comment! Cheers!
‘Watchful
Waiting shadows’
but sleep evades
‘Stars hammock me on quarter moon
With pen and inky night’ ~ gently swinging on that star
still ‘Sleepless, moon-whipped
That ecru face
Egging me on
To write’
‘I am the midnight writer
Catching words
From falling stars
Crystals in caves of memory’ ~
‘catching words from falling stars’ you ‘the midnight writer’
hammocked on that ‘quarter moon’
Beautiful starlight magic Jackie x x Lib
Oh, Lib…you practically published my poem!!! You absolute living doll! Thank you so much for the words, which mean o so much to me! You are a dear!
best kind of writing,
speechless.
smiles.
Speechless? You said so much with so few words! Thank you so much for the read and the lovely comment! Come again!
Perfectly woven imagery in this piece, capturing the essence of that pause in time. ~ Rose
Thank you so much for the read and thoughtful comment! Cheers!
Strong images – as always – you are a great imagist.
And here I am again…awake after …what? 3 hours sleep? But loving your words! Thanks much for the read and lovely words, M.!