Battling Insomnia?

We were a family of two

I didn’t have a job.

In a foreign land,

we had guests rarely.

Leftovers served

as breakfast or dinner.

I had a whale of time

on my hands.

I would read, write,

paint, garden,

indulge in photography.

Still, I had surplus time.

At night I struggled,

as sleep often eluded me.

I would toss and turn.

I’d check the moon

sailing behind the curtain.

I would wait for the dawn,

just so I could make tea

and go about my day.

A sleep-deprived body

feels pale and groggy,

drained of blood.

I blamed my insomnia

on the circadian rhythm

linked to my native India,

as I lived in California.

Now the tables have turned.

We have a bigger house,

two small kids,

endless chores,

a garden to tend too,

and earning efforts

after a career break.

I am always on my toes—

cooking, cleaning, feeding,

taking the kids for walks,

teaching, my own studies,

and of course, yelling.

Combined, they make me

so depleted of energy

that the moment

I hit the bed,

sleep comes quickly.

I can sleep like a log—

even without changing

into a cozy night dress.

Just as hunger is pickle,

exhaustion is sleeping pill.

Those who battle insomnia

know how tormenting, it can be.

Try getting tired.

Physical fatigue can override

mental fatigue

and help you drift into sleepland.

No need for bubble baths,

or essential oils therapy,

soothing music, or diet changes.

You just need to work those

muscles, nerves, and bones.

They need to convince

the boss, the brain

that sleep is needed.

I’m already yawning—

awaiting the

sweet ambush of sleep.