awake

i stare at the microwave clock

directly across from my bed 

it’s what keeps my eyes wide 

that blinking dialogue of red 

my eyes never leave it

Yet I never see the numbers change 

Must be between blinks 

and all of the thoughts I think.

about why i can’t sleep. 

I can never catch the moment 

when I peacefully slip under

even when I fake it

my body cannot surrender.

so instead i comb through my day 

each strand of mistakes 

braiding it away while I’m still awake