Sleep

Sleeping help to numb the pain from everyday life

I sleep
not because I’m tired,
but because sleep
doesn’t ask me questions.

In dreams,
nothing knocks on my chest,
no memories pull my sleeves,
no voices remind me
of everything I’ve lost.

Sleep doesn’t need answers.
It doesn’t need strength.
It lets me lay my armor down
and be weightless
for a while.

Awake,
my heart bruises itself
on every thought.
But asleep,
I am untouchable—
numb in the kindest way.

So I close my eyes
like turning down a dimmer switch,
hoping the world goes quiet
before the ache gets loud.

I will wake again.
I always do.
But for now,
sleep is mercy—
and mercy is enough.