Sleeplessness
pink dawn’s new light creeps darkness’ hill
blushing tells me awake; I’m still
not asleep
my thoughts meander consciousness
deprives xana-du of mistress
so sleepy!
body leaden as if tortured
racing rumination forward
sleep-zombied
can I neutralize this schism?
moderate this hers ‘n hism?
beauty sleep?
make a pact, a blessed covenant
walk as lovers, not sprint and grunt
sound asleep…
My second try at Compound Word Verse.
Grace is today’s host for dVerse’ OpenLinkNight. Grace posted about Compound Word Verse in October 2021. (See here) Laura used it as a prompt for MTB/Form last week.
It is a form invented by Margaret R. Smith (source here):-
- 15 lines
- 5 stanzas
- 3 lines per stanza
- rhyme scheme a,a,b
- meter 8/8/3
- last line of each stanza includes a compound word using the same stem
e.g. footsore, footstool, footage; OR underfoot; pussyfoot etc - poem’s title includes the stem word
Tao-Talk 
“blushing tells me awake; I’m stillnot asleep”
s beautiful description of the sleep deprived
much love
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Gillena many thanks <3
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that was awesome Li 😍😍 could really relate to it!
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Thanks much, CA.
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This pretty much describes how I felt when I had a bout of insomnia a few years ago. It is a strange place to be in when you haven’t slept in 24 hours, and you feel like you’ll never get to sleep again. I can relate to this as well, Lisa.
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Bruce, very sorry for anyone with insomnia. The night before I took Dotty in I had it.
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You captured this, both form and sleeplessness. Hate that tortured sleep-zombied state. Have a good and restful night.
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Thanks much, Grace. You also.
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I haven’t tried the compound word verse. I can feel the anguish of trying to sleep. Some nights are like that for sure.
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Truedessa, I’m struggling with it a little. Maybe more practice will help. Sorry you have suffered with sleeplessness. Most nights I sleep ok, but some recent events have kept me tossing and turning.
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Awesome poem about the struggles of not being able to sleep…my deep breathing and sound of a fan have been doing the trick for making me sleep, knock on wood!!! Double points for knocking the compound verse form out of the yard! I wrote one for that challenge and it was hideous…lol So you have my respect for the form and the content! Well Done Lisa!!! 💚
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Cara, your comment makes my night. I have started adding nettle leaf tea to my nightly mixture. Not only does it make me sleep deeper but oh my the dreams are filling the REM.
I am not happy with either of the compound verse poems I wrote but haven’t quite given up on the form yet. I like the challenge. Thanks so much for your kindness.
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I am familiar with ‘pink dawn’s new light’, Lisa, although I have recently discovered Magnesium, and it’s beginning to work. I won’t miss meandering consciousness and being ‘sleep-zombied’… soon?
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Happy to hear you’ve found a remedy, Kim.
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Lovely poem Li
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Thanks, Sadje <3
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You’re very welcome
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Nicely done, Lisa!
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Dwight, thank you.
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You are welcome!
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Another poem on sleeplessness, so cleverly done. I hope you sleep well tonight!
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Oops, that was me, I forgot to log in!
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Thanks so much, Freya :)
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ahh Lisa – this style suits you! the poem carries the frustration of insomnia but still quite gently.
“pink dawn’s new light creeps darkness’ hill” – this line is pure poetry
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<3 Thanks so much, Laura.
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Nicely done to form, Li. Sleepless nights are the worst!
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Jennifer, thanks much. Yes, they are :(
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Beautifully written, Lisa. And sadly, something I can totally understand, too!
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Dale, dear, sorry to hear insomnia gets to you.
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Not as bad now, thankully
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I love the fragmented nature of your poem, Lisa. It suits the sleepless / not quite awake mental state of half-thoughts. I especially enjoyed “sleep-zombies” and he rhyme with “schism” and “hers and hism.” 🙂
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Nina, thanks so much for your feedback. I like the way you see it <3
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You’re welcome, Lisa 🤍
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make a pact, a blessed covenant
walk as lovers, not sprint and grunt
sound asleep…
Sleeplessness is a tortuous encounter, a pact would be most welcomed! Great that you presented it in a designated form Lisa!
Hank
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:) <3
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I know the feeling…(K)
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