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

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Such bittersweet emotion in this one. I sense the desperation and the lonliness, but the sentiment is still starkly beautiful. I quite enjoyed much of the imagery you've infused into this one, and the honesty of your writing. I really enjoyed the last line...so tangible and relatable.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so very much for an outstanding review. I'm glad to know my emotions were translated honestly into my work and that the reader is able to connect with that. I'm left humbled by your thoughts.

[icelandicblue]

Loneliness and sorrow echo in this piece.Running on a serrated edge was a powerful visual. I too loved these lines:

Flashes of reds, yellows, and blues
come and go as I finger paint
by memory from a ghostly palette.

This is a piece of gorgeous imagery.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, I'm glad you were able to enjoy my words so much. Your time and review are very much appreciated.

[Rita L. Sev]

There is such desolate sorrow in your words, Travis. You lay your emotions out so fully and honestly...

Flashes of reds, yellows, and blues
come and go as I finger paint
by memory from a ghostly palette.

This is a fascinating and beautiful stanza... Wonderful work here.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for an outstanding and uplifting review, Rita. I'm completely humbled by your thoughts.

[Cassie]

This is quite a lonely love letter and you have brought that out well.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Cassie... i appreciate your visit and review.

[Renée]

You paint quite a lonesome vision "where cold sheets weep and abandon pillows cry" I don't think a bed can sound anymore empty than those words...memories perhaps...Beautiful work P H !

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for such a wonderful review on this piece, Renee. I'm pleased my words were able to convey the emotion I was aiming for.

[Renée]

You nailed it ...beautiful work !

[Sami Khalil]

A great poem. I like the ending the most. A lot of good lines and thoughts in it...:)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, dear friend. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...Any time...:)

[SyberRose]

You pen from the perspective of your inner voice ...nicely rendered piece of lonely memories...
You have a niche for expressing your emotions Travis...Rose

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you very much, Rose. I'm glad the emotion of the piece was able to reach you.

[gabripoem]

This is so beautiful. I love your flow and the imagery in this

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you very much... i appreciate you reading and reviewing my work. i will be sure to return the gesture.