Sleepless In Extremis (Poetry)

Exhaustion claims me like a lover
drags me under, rolls me over
ever-fickle, leaves me fretful
strung out, dizzy, unforgetful.

This long night could last forever
its limits stretched, relaxing never
no release but cursed awake
while nothing gives for pity’s sake.

Madhouse-crazy, tossing, turning
thoughts gone crawling, brain cells burning
then the drug’s sweet tongue seduces
calms the nerves — sedates — produces

the one sensation I’ve been craving
a moment’s bliss last hope was saving
that slow descent down stairs I creep
and slip on through the door of sleep.