"But what is all this fear of and opposition to Oblivion? What is the matter with the soft Darkness, the Dreamless Sleep?" | ~ James Thurber
"O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by." | ~ Phillips Brooks
A Dreamless Night
At times when my spirit is no longer at ease,
And doubt’s onslaught, just won’t be appeased.
I yearn for the sleep that quietly releases all care,
So at the awakening no memories will be there.
Peace can be found from sweet dreams as well.
Just be wary… of the lies their visions may tell.
Some dreams however, hold the mind in a snare,
Haunting one’s soul, to the depths of despair.
So when twilight begins to dwindle away,
With eyes closed, I open my thoughts to pray.
That my mind would be an empty slate,
In a dreamless night beyond slumber’s gate.
If ever you have rested in an open meadow,
With the ground for a bed n’ clouds for a pillow,
And a soft breeze gently caressing your face…
As the scent of lavender drifts into your space,
And the sweet melody of the thrush’s serenade,
Carrying the heart’s longings away from the glade,
With no thoughts or worries to clutter the mind,
Only peace n’ tranquility, leaving all cares behind,
Then you have known the same peace…
Found when eyes close tight…
As you enter the realm…
Governed by a dreamless night.
But, cold and desolate was the plight,
That once pursued me thru a dreamless night.
And when the reaper’s touch…
Pierced the veil keeping all visions at bay,
Cold n’ Dark thoughts crept in…
As the veil started to fray.
And a fleeting gaze from a feckless glower,
Persuaded reason, there’d be no escape that hour.
So when tranquil shallows, quite abruptly appeared.
Within the mind, my darkest reflection was seared.
Had I drowned my sorrow in the shallows to forget,
It would have surely lived on in the pools of regret.
You see…
We seldom perceive what truly lies within,
For not even the mirror will reflect our sin.
Because deceitful secrets are so easy to keep,
We long to hide from unbidden visions in sleep.
Still, there’s a hidden truth, and one should beware,
That is, hidden thoughts can also lead to despair.
Yet, as most lives are lived with the eyes shut tight.
It is easy to miss, the arrival of a dreamless night.
So if all visions were veiled while you peacefully slept,
Just know that you were blessed…
While others quietly wept.
~ Drew Philips
