Eyes glazed

Eyes glazed

The lids

Heavy with sleep

In the middle of the day

Unwelcomed

I don’t want to lie

In the same breath

As saying

I don't want to die

Not quite yet

For pity's sake

Sleep in the afternoon

Is not for me

I will not succumb.

My dad fell unconscious

As soon as he sat down

Dead to the world

For half the day

Refusing to sleep in his bed

Once mum died

Slept in his chair

Day and night

More often asleep

Than he was awake

Rousing

For a walk to the pub

And a Guinness or two.

I will not follow

Perhaps to the pub

But not into slumber

I’m afraid of what I might miss

When my head hits

My chest

I will not be

A nodding dog

On a parcel shelf

Next to a

Fir tree deodoriser

And an A to Z.

Of London.

I might like a dram

Or two

But not just yet.

I will rest

For a moment

Only a moment

But for the life of me

I will not…

…fall…