Deprivation

It’s lead in my bones that
Creep, creep, creeps up my limbs
To press its fingertips against my eyelids
And push them closed.

It’s the whisper of dreams in my ear,
Of castles on clouds and knights
Advancing on ranks of shambling zombies.

It’s the gentle, easy slide
Of Morpheus’s arms around my waist
To ease me down, down, down
To fall asleep.

On my laptop.
While my palms press random letters
Across the screen of my survey report.

It’s the groan of malcontent when
The rest of my brain reminds me I’m at work and
It’s my own fault for staying out so late last night.

(107 words)