Poem: Insomnia

I am a writer. My passion is poetry. I feel words connect people together and help us to understand the feelings we share.

Poem Summary

Insomnia is a poem about not being able to sleep. She used to sleep peacefully but now it's like dodging a tornado. Her thoughts constantly dart back and forth as she tosses and turns fighting sleep like a toddler.

"What Causes Insomnia? By Dan Kwartler"

Insomnia

The nighttime used to be her friend

comforting her soul as she slept peacefully

until the morning sunlight peered through the window

Now it’s like dodging a tornado

with her thoughts constantly darting

tossing and turning

with nightmares waging war.

Fighting sleep like a toddler

until the wee hours of the morning

when the song birds call.

I want to sleep but my brain won't stop talking to itself

— CoolFunnyQoutes.com

"How To Fall Asleep In Two Minutes " by AsapSCIENCE

© 2021 BRENDA ARLEDGE

Comments

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 17, 2021:

Can't sleep

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 16, 2021:

Sleepless nights

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 11, 2021:

Insomnia

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 11, 2021:

Can't sleep

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 08, 2021:

Bobbi...thoughts on insomnia

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 07, 2021:

3 am blues

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 06, 2021:

Tired

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 06, 2021:

Vidya,

I envey those people who can fall asleep at the drop of a hat.

Counting sheep certainly doesn't help me.

Have a great day.

VIDYA D SAGAR on May 06, 2021:

This poem deals with a very relevant subject in these stressful times Brenda. Insomnia is really like dodging a tornado. The thoughts simply don't stop. They say you have to count sheep to get sleep. But that has never worked for me ha ha. To sleep like a baby is a blessing indeed.

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 06, 2021:

Sleepless night

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Iqra,

Repost your poem in the news feed

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Peggy,

Thank you.

Great to hear this doesn't bother you much.

It's quite distracting and irritating.

Have a good night.

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Miebakagh

It definitely is important.

It's great to wake up feeling refreshed.

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Liz,

Thank you so very much.

I tried to paint the picture.

Have a great day.

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Miebakagh,

Glad to hear that helps you relax.

I'll take the real beach.. lol.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on May 04, 2021:

Sleepless nights are the worst! Fortunately, it does not happen too often for me.

Miebakagh Fiberesima from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NIGERIA. on May 04, 2021:

I whole heartily agree. Sleep is the best medicine for calming and refreshing mind and body at night.

Liz Westwood from UK on May 04, 2021:

Sleep is so important for us all. Sleep deprivation can cause a lot of problems. You capture insomnia well in this poem.

Miebakagh Fiberesima from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NIGERIA. on May 04, 2021:

Brenda, of course concentration may pose difficult for others. In my case, I envisage relaxing at beatiful beach under palms. It certainly helps.

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Shauna,

Thanks.

I hate those times when I'm sleeping peacefully and something wakes me up at 3 or 4 in the morning. I'm left awake with my thoughts.

But then again...they say that's when some of our best writing occurs.

I'll have to test that theory.

Take care gal.

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Chitrangada,

Thank you.

I do believe it has alot to do with worry or unresolved thoughts that keep us awake at night.

But on the plus side...it shows we are compassionate and caring because we are still thinking about the issue.

Have a great day.

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Farah

Sorry to hear you are dealing with those varied work shifts at the hospital.

This time with Covid-19 is so bad.

No wonder you have insomnia.

Right now it has been raining, but suddenly I hear a tree being cut down so the noise is loud. The rain must be taking a break, but they'll be no sleep around here right now.

Day time noises can be a bad thing when you try to sleep.

Maybe a fan to block the noise.

I read your work.

https://letterpile.com/poetry/A_Chasm_In_Time

It is quite good.

Everyone else sleeps peacefully but I vacantly stare...I don't know if it's fair but it happens.

Maybe there is a purpose behind this too....or maybe we just have too much on our minds.

Take care and have a wonderful day.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on May 04, 2021:

Fortunately, I hardly ever suffer from insomnia, but when I do, it's maddening! Just like the quote you posted suggests, my brain just won't shut up!

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Pamela,

Thanks.

Pain is the ultimate sleep killer.

It's so hard to get comfortable.

Then that thinking that just won't go away after you wake up.

I'm glad it doesn't happen too often for you.

It's one if those rainy days here. The kind that make you want to stay beneath the covers...but wouldn't you know it...I slept good last night.

Guess I best get started with my day.

Take care.

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Lorna,

Thanks.

I know people who work varied shifts and I honestly don't know how they do it.

I feel for you.

Grab some sleep whenever you can.

Have a great day.

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Aeeenry,

Thank you.

I'm delighted to have you reading my poetry.

So glad you enjoyed this one.

Yes, those thoughts that just won't stop. If only we could turn them off before jumping into bed.

Take care & have a great day .

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Miebakagh

Thank you.

It seems the more i concentrate...the worse it gets.

I usually write short ones...Have a great day.

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Iqra,

Thank you for your kindness.

John is an inspiration all on his own.

He writes a series "Poems from the Porch" where he writes on any subject...just toss him a word or idea.

Have a great day.

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Kaplana

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 04, 2021:

Misbah

Thank you.

If only there was

a switch on one's brain,

we could turn that thinking on and off.

Take care.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on May 04, 2021:

Insomnia is frustrating, and it can happen to so many people. I don’t suffer from sleeplessness, but sometimes due to worries, my sleep is disturbed.

You have very well expressed this condition in your poem.

Thank you for sharing.

Farah N Huq from Dhaka, Bangladesh on May 04, 2021:

Tell me about it! Having it even now and it has a lot to do with my work shifts at the hospital. The sleep cycle has reversed and you can't really have sound sleep during the day time either since there's always a lot going around in the house and outside. I can totally relate to this. Loved it! I had also written one on insomnia "A Chasm in Time". Would appreciate it if you go through it sometime. Stay blessed, dear Brenda.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on May 04, 2021:

I have trouble with insomnia sometimes, but it is usually due to pain. Then, once I wake up I am thinking too much! Fortunately, it does not happen very often recently. This is a good poem, Brenda. Most of us can probably relate to it.

Lorna Lamon on May 04, 2021:

Having recently worked hospital shifts I am now having difficulty in resetting my body clock. Your poem perfectly describes this condition and how it feels. Another great write Brenda.

Aeeenry on May 04, 2021:

I don't suffer from insomia but I relate with the thoughts constantly flowing through my head before sleeping. And by the way, I like your poem ^^

Miebakagh Fiberesima from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NIGERIA. on May 04, 2021:

Brenda, there was a time I had a few sleep issue, and I over come it easy. I overcome it. I think it is with the power of concemtration. Sleep is my opium for the night. Thanks for the short read.

Iqra from East County on May 04, 2021:

Once again a choice of beautiful words, Poetry based on reality.

Brenda, You are an awesome writer.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful poem. I see a lot of people here being inspired by you. The foremost of which is John. :)

Kalpana Iyer from India on May 04, 2021:

There was a time when I would stay awake till 5 am in the morning, but that was only because I would sleep till afternoon. Took some time to get over that bad habit. But I cannot imagine how it must be for those who truly suffer from insomnia (not getting a wink of sleep even if dead tired). Must be so exhausting.

Misbah Sheikh from The World of Poets on May 04, 2021:

Thanks for sharing this poem, Benda. I have suffered sleepless nights and I know what it feels like when some thoughts and worries don't let you sleep. You wrote a wonderful poem. I enjoyed reading it.

Blessings

BRENDA ARLEDGE (author) from Washington Court House on May 03, 2021:

Nights that are sleepless