WHAT I TELL MYSELF

what it must be like- for just one night
to be loved, liked- to just be-the good-bad,
in side of me- comes out- (I am waiting) as thoughts swirl
- around the bed room-if I go to sleep now
say my prayers- always;  minds in overload-- (if I could) to side step
the obvious- (how can I) concentrate-settle-down
make it one thing-at a time, two, three
four, shut the door-sure thing- (do I)- feel better?
now, have one eye-open, long as it takes- for
the duration of the night- I wait (have my doubts)
every-thing in the dark-
stays exaggerated; or better explained
in the morning- (hope so)- at least I think (what I tell myself)

by Michael Perry