An Ode To Insomnia

“Why can’t I sleep?” I asked the Moon,

And this, his swift reply:

“So you can keep me company

Out here this cold tonight!”

I turned then to the Stars and said,

“Why can’t I sleep tonight?

You’ve plenty of friends to stay beside;

All shining big and bright.”

Then they twinkled altogether,

They danced in harmony.

They seemed to say, “You do not sleep,

So you can see our beauty!”

The Cricket in the bush called out;

I dropped my gaze to see.

“Why can’t I sleep tonight?” I asked.

And up he looked at me.

Well, of course, he knew the why;

It didn’t take him long.

“Tonight, you are not sleeping,

So you can hear my song!”

I asked the Cat inside my lap;

He purred and seemed to grin,

“Of course,” he said, “The reason’s this:

I need a lap to sit in!”

And so I sat upon the rock,

With Moon and Stars o’rhead.

The Cricket’s song, a symphony,

The Cat within his ‘bed.’

And to myself, I thought of this:

I don’t need to sleep, perhaps;

I’ll stay right here— the quiet dark:

With the Moon, the Stars, Cricket, and Cat. 

-Kalli Sue, at 3 a.m.