Song For Sleeping

From TAKE THIS WITH YOU

---

today is my birthday many more
years before I lay and rest
mist blows across the pond sprays 
my face reminds me of sea sounds I 
play to soothe my insomnia 

sleeping habits passed down from my father he
told me his childhood dreams were
scored by Dark Side of the Moon how
different I must have been a
toddler curled napping to hard rock
or Moody Blues singing something about satin in
college I chased the red eye nights with
a voicemail HEY ITS
YOUR DAD I JUST
WANTED TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY 
voice trails downward at the end reminds me
that I rarely called back I
can’t think this without salty 
ocean tears welling surging from
within me heaving chest rocking a
quietly aching lullaby today
is my day and no songs
will help me rest my eyes I
used to fall asleep to a lonely message
frightened of forgetting the
melody of his voice

cooling October breeze fans pond
water along the grassy bank THE
MESSY HAIR OF GRAVES bedhead
of those finally sleeping