I have invited sleep
to celebrate my wakefulness, deep;
sleep came slept with  my dream,
my awakening drifted away
in a void stream.
Reflections of the far city lights
sparkle on the flowing river
of the illusive night,
as flakes of hope shimmer
in the dark depth of intense fright.

The distorted gleam
of passing car lights 
on a pool of rain water,
in splurges ,scatter
under the speeding wheels;
the constant rhythmic pulse
of the impatient wipers
draw glimmering images
of hazy and glinting whispers
on the canvas of the windscreens.

A longing homebound, throbs captive
for a peaceful sleep
in bed-spread darkness,
moon slowly melting on sofa;
mysterious solitude soaking
in waving familiar curtains, 
crippled senses seeking another life.
Distress of anxious time
drift and float like ignored corpses
for the assurance of heavenly chime.

©Kakoli Ghosh

Published in Glomag, May 2021