Below is a poem about the struggle of insomnia. I decided to write this in a different form than I am used to writing in. I wrote it in the style of haiku. Each stanza is a haiku. For those you who are unfamiliar with this style, let me explain. A haiku is a three lined poem. Each line has a specific amount of syllables. The pattern is 5-7-5, which means, the first line has five syllables, the second line has seven syllables, and the third line has five syllables. It creates a rhythmic flow with having to rhyme. (Note that every three lines is a haiku, and thus every three lines is one stanza in this poem.) I haven't written in this style for some time, but I enjoyed challenging myself to branch out.
The poem was inspired by a couple of different things. First, it was inspired by my own struggles to fall asleep each night. While I've never been formally diagnosed with insomnia, I did a sleep study for one of my psychology classes which stated that I show some symptoms of insomnia. Whether or not I actually do have insomnia, most nights I do struggle to fall asleep. I lay down and close my eyes, but it can take hours for sleep to come. I find myself thinking through things I need to the next day, in the next few days, or even in the coming weeks. My mind can't seem to shut off, in spite of my body being completely exhausted. The second inspiration for this poem came from an amazing song. The song was written by a friend of mine. (For those of you interested in, the song is "Losing Sleep" by Simeon Sheppard.) The song, though not necessarily about insomnia, deals with his struggles to sleep due to his anxieties. I am very excited to share this poem with you, and I hope that you enjoy it.
Insomnia
Endless stream of thoughts
Sleepless nights, mind won't shut off
Desperately want rest
Ideas flood my mind
Each vying for attention
They scream to be heard
Exhaustion sets in
Yet I'm still lying awake
Why can't I just sleep
Wish all my worries
Would wait until morning comes
To race through my mind
I pray in the hopes
That my mind would become clear
Only God can help
This nightly battle
A regular occurrence
It's taking a toll
Eventually
I manage to fall asleep
Mind finally off
Yet in the morning
I never feel quite refreshed
It's hard to awake
The days feel longer
The time passes more slowly
Lack of energy
Yet each night I fight
The same exhausting battle
Just wishing I'd sleep
Stuck in a cycle
It's wearing my body down
Can't seem to break it
Someday I will win
This war with insomnia
I'll finally sleep
