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Vex Me
Bhri'ona Shoff

Vex me, O Sleep! Drape
your downy blanket
over my aching body.
Shut my bloodshot eyes
and bring the cricket
anthem that lets me know
you’re here. Come into
my home. Don’t make this
insomniac sleeping beauty
get up to let you in. Kiss me
with your heavy lips and lull
me under your dark, still
slumber. Then sing to me 
a symphony of  roaring wind
and rustling leaves as you
lay me down in a bed
of  poppies and deliver
my dreams. Fill my teeming
mind with wings of  warm
stillness. Please, O Sleep
come to me before I wake.