a long night

I’m lying in bed.
I’m awake.
My eyes are open.
It’s dark.
The cicadas are deafening.
Close your eyes.
Go back to sleep.
Ideas. Thoughts. Mind racing.
Racing. Racing. Racing.
Ideas. Images. Thoughts.
Memories of the past?
Close your eyes.
Images.
Dreams of the future?
Go back to sleep.
I’m still awake.
Racing. Racing.
House. Work. Racing.
Past? Future? Present?
Shut your mind.
Racing. Racing.
Things I wish I had said.
Doubts.
Things I want to say.
Images. Ideas. Thoughts.
Shouting.
Racing.
Things I’ll never say.
Doubts. Apprehension. Questions.
My eyes are shut.
I’m awake.
Racing.
Visions are deafening.
The clock shouts as the numbers silently change.
I’m still awake
Racing. Racing.
Images. Technicolor. Stereo surround-sound.
Thoughts.
The cicadas and I are awake.
It’s dark.
I can hear the silent clock tick, tick, tick…
Mind racing. Racing.
Only fifteen minutes have passed since the last time I looked.
Quit looking!
It only makes it worse.
Thoughts. Demons. Thieves.
It’s getting light out.
Thoughts.
Racing.
The alarm goes off. Another day.
I’ll sleep better tonight?