Tick Tick Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

It’s far too late for my eyes to still be open

Tick

Tick

Tick

My back aches, my sheets are ripped from the corners of my bed

Sliding closer to me

Tick

Tick

Tick

My bladder begs to be emptied, but I keep saying

Maybe if I lay here

If I’m patient

I’ll fall asleep

Tick

Tick

Tick

My eyelids are heavy, but my brain is on fire

Thoughts are dancing with each other, mingling and flirting

I tell them

Go home! The party ended hours ago!

But they continue to sway to the music

Tick

Tick

Tick

My bladder is yelling

And my limbs are sore

So I give in

Tick

Tick

Tick

I pick myself up

And inch to the bathroom

And after my release

I look in the mirror

Tired eyes stare back at me

I go back to my bed

Tick

Tick

Tick

I close my eyes again

The darkness is starting to recede

The sun is coming up

She pokes her head in through the slats in my blinds

I sigh

I can feel her on my eyelids

Fighting her is fruitless

So much for sleep.