Guilty Conscience

Each night I close my eyes and beckon sleep,

no longer do I waste time counting sheep.

Hope that I'll succumb I strive to keep,

I yearn for slumber, comforting and deep;

But fretful dreams inevitably creep

into unconscious fantasies once more.

*

Each night I close my eyes and beckon sleep

but daytime seeds I've sown I'm forced to reap.

My sins return to haunt me, make me weep.

I yearn for slumber, comforting and deep.

I toss and turn and feel my pulses leap

as rancid sweat exudes from every pore.

*


Each night I close my eyes and beckon sleep,

though knowing that I've sold my soul too cheap.

My guilt bears down, a conscience-crushing heap.

I yearn for slumber, comforting and deep.

My learning curve will have to be so steep,

if I'm to nurture goodness in my core.

*

Each night I close my eyes and beckon sleep.

from consciousness my guilt I seek to sweep.

But still it pricks when I'm, at last, asleep.

I yearn for slumber, comforting and deep.

The six o'clock alarm begins to bleep,

I wonder what today might have in store.

*

Each night I close my eyes and beckon sleep.

I yearn for slumber, comforting and deep.