Exhaustion

Dear Fatigue,

can you just knock it off for a day?

I’ve taken two naps

but have found no refreshment.

I have assignments due next week,

a suitcase to pack,

dogs to walk,

poetry to write.

You throw yourself on top of me

like a down comforter soaked through.

My mind is sluggish,

my words stuck in a molasses river.

My eyes heavy,

my steps slow.

I’ll get there eventually.

I’m hungry,

but the kitchen is all the way over there.

There’s a whole wonderful world outside

and bright sunshine

and blue skies,

but I remain in my cocoon

of dimly lit living rooms and half-sleep.

I’m sick of fighting you all day,

and then when it’s time for bed,

you disappear,

and your brother Anxiety shows up.

Then my heart races

and all my fears dance before my open eyes,

and I scroll mindlessly

through my Facebook timeline and Twitter feed,

absorbing nothing

as the minutes drip away,

and I have less and less time for rest.