An Insomniac's Love Letter

sleeping without her

Sleeping without your love,

can't be called sleep at all.

Only a sharp descent from madness;

mania fades to exhaustion

and the shakey hands

of my subconscious mind

cradle me to safety.

 

Nights are never easy, so

mornings are never good.

All white spheres rise and fall

against dotted colorless horizons.

Flashes of reds, yellows, and blues

come and go as I finger paint

by memory from a ghostly palette.

 

I'm running barefoot

on the serrated edge of insanity,

fleeing the pointing fingers

of faceless drones.

They speak in an obscure language

and forgetful phrases; my ears

only seem to hear, she--- her.

 

Reality has become a blur

moving to fast for me to focus,

but I press on (with weighted feet)

searching broken images

and slightly remembered shadows

for even the faintest trace of you.

 

Wide awake dreaming

always lead me to that bed--- our bed.

Where cold sheets weep

and abandoned pillows cry,

and I break along with them.

 

This is the only place

I can still see colors so clear,

and it always reminds me...

I haven't slept since you left.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Emily B]

so glad that i was invited here, i will definitely be reading more of your tremendous voice!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you very much for a humbling review.

[K. Louis]

the personification in the imagery you used is stunning. I really enjoyed, "shaky hands of my subconscious mind" ...and "where cold sheets weep and abandoned pillows cry"; the second stanza was like looking at an old washed out photo ...colors becoming muted...the blurring of reality...really great visuals that link so well to the loss of a loved one..or like LJW pointed out being separated. I subscribed to your writing...looking forward to reading more from you.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you beyond words for such an awesome review. I hope my work continues to impress. I look forward to returning the gesture.

[K. Louis]

You're welcome!

[Ken Simm.]

Extrordinary writing with an inherently visual strand. I found I was glad to be directed to such a write. Thanks LJW.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Ken... I appreciate your great review. I also can't thank LJW enough.

[A. Amos]

I feel connected to your poetry, truly amazing LJW directed me here so thanks to her.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I'm beyond thankful you were able to connect with this. I hope my work continues to build on that connection. I look forward to viewing your work as well.

[A. Amos]

You're most welcome

[LJW]

BRILLIANT.
WOW.

I have never connected with a "love" poem as much as I do with this one. Your straight forward, unembellished tone is refreshing. Most love poems are overly written, overwraught, over dramatic, cliche, and filled with way too many corny adjectives. Every line of this gem is original thought. The visuals are mindblowingly unique. The drones! Oh, those drones. Where'd you pull that out of? Awesome.

Another cool thing about this poem is that it is relatable to anyone who has loved and lost. AND it is relatable to anyone who is currently in love, live separately, and feel that sense of loss when they can't be together in that bed. When together, that bed is a warm safe haven. Apart, that same bed has monsters under it, it's cold and writhing with memories you want to recreate RIGHT NOW but can't. So you can't sleep. Psychosis is approached way too closely. That bed. That f+#*ing bed.

Extremely deserving 1st place contest winner. Looking forward to reading more of your work.
This piece is my favorite I have read here, or anywhere for that matter.

One tiny correction: S4, L2....change "to" to "too."

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Well, I am beyond taken aback. Your review has left me speechless and firmly in humility' s company. I also want to thank you for directing the very kind writers above, who also reviewed my work.
I am glad you found this piece so affecting. It was written after a long night of no sleep, of which I found myself having to prepare for work. It mostly wrote itself, I wasn't sure of its quality till posting it here, to which I'm thankful for. You have given it new life and meaning and I can't thank you enough.

[Wuji]

This has incredible depth both poetically, psychologically and lyrically. I liked the desperation and realism it embodied, I could feel myself as the narrative's figure.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so much for a humbling review... I'm glad it could reach you on multiple levels.

[Antoñyo]

This is intense from the subtlest details to the in-your-face aching need.
Thank for sharing

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for taking time to read/review this, Antonyo. I appreciate your humbling thoughts. I will be certain to reciprocate the gesture.

[BlueZan]

This is absolutely beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes, I felt the love and the pain and the exhaustion of both. I'm so glad you shared it.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so much, I'm glad the emotion translated so accurately. Thank you for leaving me with such sincere thoughts on this piece.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Sleep heals all wounds, "there's the rub." WS Your poem is a very powerful one, and it will hit home with a lot of people. The grief you write of is one that only time and some much needed sleep will take care of. Easy to say, but hard to live through. Wonderful poetry!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so much for those kind words. You have humbled me greatly and I appreciate you taking the time to read this piece.

[imiey]

been here and i know how it feels

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I'm glad to know the piece is relatable... thank you so much for your review, I will be certain to reciprocate the gesture.

[imiey]

u most welcomed