You ask me how I am
“Tired”
I say
I slur

You preach your 3 hours of sleep
As though it is a feat
A competition in your mind
I know I have already won
Yet mine isn’t so victorious

I have felt years of heavy eyelids pulled down by black fingernails, the bruised under eyes and lust for more sleep

A weak bag of bones is all I am now
Collapsed at a laugh
Or a cry
My muscles show no strength
Neither do I

A continuation of places I have fallen asleep
- at the movies
- my dermatologist appointment
- the dentist
- getting my nails done
- the back room of my work
- the car on short rides
- the car on long rides
- 5 minutes after waking up in my bed
- the couch at 7pm
- the couch at 7am
- the grass in the garden
- the beach
- a portable hammock laying on my side
- waiting for the doctors appointment
- on the train
- on the bus