As I watch the moon set

A nightwatchman, on his whistle, blows.
Three sharp notes, high pitched and clear.
Three sharp notes, they reach many a ear.
His footsteps sound in the silence that follows.

I recognize every watchman by his tune.
A skill derived from, what I call, a habit,
or insomnia as the doctor described it.
In simplest terms, I am sleep immune.

I find it hard, lying awake at night.
'cause as lights go out and all other sounds fade.
Memories residing in my head,
start speaking aloud and provide me with sight.

I see a little boy hold his father's hand
and rest assured he'd never lose his way.
such assurance I seek again ,  but try as I may,
I find none in this unknown place I stand.

I see a little boy, making merry in the rain,
or balancing on a narrow wall, unafraid to fall.
Now as then, I wish I heard my mother call.
I wish someone would call me home again.

I see times when it took just a paper crown,
to believe I was the king of all the kings,
and fairies and dragons and other fantastic things.
A world where it mattered if I gave a smile or frown.

Once again, I struggle, to believe in a wishing tree,
and make an earnest wish as memories unfurled.
Take me to the time when I controlled a world.
I am so tired of this world controlling me.

Reviews

[Lily Mae]

I can feel this so deeply in my soul.. That wish and hope for something familiar, and old that gave us that reassurance and comfort. My own mind wanders to the same dreams... You nailed the end with "take me to the time when I controlled a world. I am so tired of this world controlling me". To me that is perfect.. Well penned thoughts and emotions:) x

[Arabdha]

transports me back to an age of innocence and nostalgia..i believe you are a keen observer of life and its various characters..and its well reflected in your poetry..lovely !

[Rossen]

You have a way of bringing the boy form the mans past in your writings,
making your warm and unique poems like this one timeless, proud to
call you my friend, this hat tilts in your direction...Rossen

[freelancejouster]

this is beautiful. the message, the layout, the awkward, slightly singsong lilt that the rhyme scheme gives the whole piece. the last two lines are my favorite though, you go out with a bang :D

two little notes:
line 8 "in simplest terms, I am sleep immune." could work better with a comma.
line 19 "now, as then, I wish I heard my mother call." would be correct.