Awake

The night is a welcome friend until you realize it is passing too quickly as you lay there in suspended animation, wondering if your eyes have forever lost their ability to remain shut. You toss and turn uncomfortably. The more you attempt to think yourself to sleep, the wider awake everything around you seems.

Then the worry sets in. "What about work tomorrow? If I fall asleep in the next ten minutes, I might have enough time. What time is it again?" The battle to beat the clock begins. "Stop it! Don't look at the clock. You'd be better off not knowing. Wait, I have to know because I'm running out of time!"

Next comes the remembering. "What did I say today that I shouldn't have? Oh my gosh, did I leave that candle burning in the living room? Is the front door locked? Did I forget to do something?"

And worst of all is the physical. Just when you are seconds away from finally falling asleep, you realize you have to pee! NO! You try to ignore the urge, but the more you ignore it the worse it gets. The worry sets in again and the cycle begins anew. Over and over all night long.

The morning finally arrives after what feels like an eternity, and you quickly fill your veins with caffeine to stay awake for the long day ahead. It's all for nothing, though, because is it not your thoughts that keep you awake in the first place?