Insomnia

Heretical, that little candle flickers on
     all by itself, to spite Ms. Sleep
     who comes with Mr. Moon
     and his broom with dreams to sweep
Candle's up and away
     light the room bright as day
     old candle chuckles cheerfully
     and summons their toys to play
While the stars are still out
     old candle plays in the yard
     the firmament tut-tut-ing
at the candle, strutting
bright and sparkly
Aldebaran bright red
     flushed with anger
     the candle playing the wrong role
Polaris shaken for shame
     the candle stealing the turn
     as if the gyre of the Earth would ebb
The sky unhinged at the room awakened
     twisted every star
     to sing, and beg
     kumbaya, Ms Sleep
     kumbaya
Awake again
     again
     again
One hour here, one hour there
     Ms. Sleep can sneak in
To dull the room and let the stars shine
     give Mr. Moon a chance on stage
     let them sweep that broom
     dusting dreams on every page
But the little candle
     with evening not content
     craves the morning too
     and burning midday Sun’s lament
And our old candle eats
dinner, breakfast, lunch
     each by the same flame
     a bite, a munch
Burning little embers in the sun
Madam Sun pursing her lips
     cocking her hips
     like a gun ready to rip
     at the upstart flame
And if old candle falters there
     Ms. Sleep and Mr. Moon repair
     and all the lights line up in queues
     before old candle’s wax renews

-o0o-