trying to sleep in the hostile hostel
stranger noises allow terrifying fantasies
to permeate my tired mind
sleep deprivation as a lifestyle choice -
shadow figures encroach
as frozen muscles fail
only able to tremble, be it the cold
or the horror of what I cannot make out -
shapeless faces blend with faded wallpaper
morphing from alien abduction
to hysterics over tree branches scratches
rain against the panes bring fresh pain -
drained, emotionally
slumber finally conquers
the mystery of sleep paralysis