Tonight's Poet Corner: Sleep Tight

Sleep Tight
by Belinda Roddie

Bleary eyed,

I craned my head

to look outside.

Neighborhood cats

claimed their domain

in my backyard.

They demanded respect

and also pets,

but it was too cold,

so I declined.

For once, I planned to sleep

before midnight.

For once, I planned to dream

non-stressful dreams.

Dreams that would

keep me away from

classrooms and old

family homes.

Dreams that would

put energy in my gut

rather than weariness

in my bones.

Because nothing

is much worse

than waking up

more exhausted

than the night before.