PoMo2013 - Poem 19

 

Can't sleep

Even though I can't sleep
-  it's been hours -
the dog's snoring soothes me.
What's keeping me up
but a list of things:
Guns
Drunken drivers
Boston,
Waco.

Gas stations
in Washington,
D.C.
Bad politicians,
Newtown.

Good things keep me up too:
The man at the diner 
who asked me out.
The library book 
I want to write in.
Tap dancing lessons.

My parents,
children ,
and siblings
The bowling
league I just
might
join.

My book
coming out
this summer!

Life is good
because more people
are precious
than they are monstrous,
say the news
casters.

Meanwhile,
my dog's
back
warms mine.
Tomorrow,
I'll take her to the park--
if it doesn't rain.

-Esther Altshul Helfgott

4/19/13