tuck each other in

I like this poem. I think about it sometimes as I'm falling into bed, exhausted from the day's events, or merely the stress of living cross-culturally. I sleep much more here than I do at home. It's a huge relief.

Sleeping

Whether you think it’s trampy or not,
when we are not awake,
we really are all sleeping together.
Sawing logs, snoozing,
getting a little shuteye,
some sacktime,
heading to slumberland,
doing the blanket drill,
the bunk habit,
having a siesta fiesta,
a pajama party
or just getting forty winks
and a good night’s rest

We’re all setting alarms, reading a bit,
warming our feet and spooning in,
stealing the covers, hogging all the pillows or
taking up the whole bed, grass mat,
hammock or our bit of dry earth.
Whether the satin sheets, fur or flannels
are on the futon, floor or igloo ice
whether we are naked, night gowned
or wearing what we wore all day.
We have been doing this a long time together, alot.

Terrorists and tyrants,
the embargoed, enemies and occupying forces
within a few blocks of each other
lay down everyday
not only their weapons but their bodies,
anger and ideologies.
They give up. They surrender,
not to overwhelming odds or power
but to being… tired.
They know they can’t win against it.
Something much bigger says,
“I don’t want to hear another peep out of you.
Now tuck each other in and go to sleep!”

(Daniel Sisco)