plan an early sleep

even when I try to plan

and early sleep

(so I might wake feeling rested)

end up on the porch all hours

even when I tell myself to use

the keyboard

(might speed up the process)

end up on the porch

pen and new page

even when the dog snores

louder than I do

wonder if the smoke

keeps him low to the ground

asleep on the floor

next time I try to plan

an early sleep maybe I

will take my own advice

so I won't have to wake

with the need for 30mg a day

even when I try

to steady the hand

and uncross the eyes

staring into the bowl

half full most of the time

planning a restful night

even when I try

to squeeze out one more page

on a night when the skies are hazy

but the full moon breaks through

anyway as if it knew

which buttons to push a test

of patience and tolerance

just trying to hit forty

and find some time to plan

some restful sleep...