The Doors of Sleep

The full moon gazes down,
A great pale eye watching from the heavens.

I lie awake,
Longing to wander once more
Within the lands of dreams.

Instead, I remain trapped
Within an awakened mind,
Alone and without comfort,
Searching for the doors of sleep.

Each uneasy cough,
Pushes me another step from serenity.

Beyond my open window,
The world is dark, still, and warm.
The night holds its breath.
It is four o’clock in the morning.
The hour of lucid dreams has passed,
Yet the doorway remains closed.

I turn and shift.
Bedsheets entangle my feet.
My neck aches.
My restless body refuses surrender.

Above, the moon continues its silent vigil.

Far overhead,
An aircraft laden with sleepers
Crosses the darkness,
Carrying its dreaming passengers
To destinations unknown.

My mind craves only sleep.
I can feel the doorway drawing near.

So I write,
Hoping these words will carry me
Across the threshold.

My weary eyes are the keys
That unlock the realm of dreams.

May the doors of sleep close firmly behind me,
That I may wander forgotten roads until dawn,
And awaken once more
Beneath the light
Of the new morning sun.