To sleep and dream of life illusory
Of the fantastic and frivolous depth of memory
Has become an uncommon gift
From the restless gods of innate attention

For to sleep
One must aside the onslaught
Of the ravenous masters of ticking time
And lay your head in peace
Amid the battlefield, demanding action

For to dream
One must aside the onslaught
Of the fear of the lost and longing
And become thus as a joyful babe
Sure of the outcome of a life of love

Thus today
Sleep comes without rest
The dream of life illusory is lost
Replaced by the dark nothingness
Or the nightmare of the restless and ravenous

But know tomorrow
This uncommon gift can be taken
The restless gods and masters
Lay at your feet, defeated,
Amid the battleground, now of peace
And that makes all the difference

A.B. Griffin