Here’s my latest entry into the dVerse Open Link– why not take a look at all of the other wonderful responses?
Last night I woke at 2am – and that was the end of my sleep for the night. I was in a strange hotel room (strange to me, that is, not bizarre!), in an unfamiliar bed, anticipating an out of the ordinary day ahead. Today, I attended the memorial service for my dad in the OBE Chapel at St Paul’s Cathedral. I read one of his poems in the most beautiful of surroundings, watched over by Nelson’s tomb and the gravestone of William Blake. It was a stunning experience and extremely humbling.
Here are some of the thoughts that were running through my head in the depths of last night.
I suspect I’ll sleep well tonight, back in my own bed.
Let me know what you think…
*****
– Insomnia –
Celebrating the life of… In the wee small hours A good night’s sleep, guaranteed Taxi at 9am Twenty minutes’ walk to St Paul’s Don’t forget the map, the poem No, remember them, not don’t forget What’s that light? Just the smoke alarm, guarding me It’s so quiet here, on the edge of The City I ought to – I should – My eyes are so tired I wish I was in my own bed I wonder if I’ll sleep before the alarm goes off? I hope it all goes OK I need a holiday Sunshine, a beach Space in my head Celebrating the life of…
i’m sorry for the loss of your dad – it’s so tough to say good bye – so cool though that you read one of his poems for him.. bet he would’ve loved it… and hope you’ll get that holiday sometime soon…
Thank you, Claudia. My heart was thumping fit to burst just before I read his poem out – especially when I saw how full the chapel actually was – standing room at the back! I bet he would have loved to see all those people there. I loved sharing his work with everyone.
I just posted out one of Shakespeare’s Sonnets, about sleeplessness, oddly enough. We must all have the Full Moon Blues. Lovely Poem! Like it very much 🙂
The fragmented thoughts you have chosen accurately construct an all too familiar picture, but so hard to capture… Glad the day went well, quite an experience in that special space.
What a momentous occasion. Sadness mingling with pride and memories. Reading a poem at that point in time seems incredibly auspicious to me. Making the occasion even more poignant and important.
Hope you had time to walk around there during your stay: my favourite area, especially within the old city walls.
It was momentous and I couldn’t quite believe that it was real. I never expected to be attending, let alone taking part in such an event. I work in the City, so I am in the area every day, but I did see it with new eyes yesterday, definitely.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s tough enough to sleep away from home without all the weight you must have been carrying. What a lovely thought to imagine you reading your father’s poetry at his memorial.
I am not surprised you could not sleep last night, Freya! Your anxiousness and willingness to be ready on this very special and emotional occasion are very tangible. I hope all went well!
I would have lost sleep too! What a special place for a special family member–but I know because I read your intro, thinking it was part of the poem. RIP, and strength to you. AS for the poem itself, it matches my experience with sleeplessness before something I am responsible for is about to happen. Every half unfinished question and statement is perfectly timed, halted, wondered again.
oy…def a tentative balance between being so tired and also the excitement in the reading….what an honor to be able to do…i bet you sleep good tonight as well…smiles…sounds like a very cool place….
Understand the tumbling lack of sleep. Bit jealous you could be in London at St. Paul’s – wish I were just a tube ride away from there. It’s a constant dream for me to be back in London where I feel at home.
It is an amazing place, within an area stuffed with history (as you know!). I would love to live that close, although a cardboard box would probably be the extent of my ‘home’ in that kind of area!
Hotel rooms can do that to a person, and I liked the guardian light. Sorry for your loss, glad you were able to share his work with everyone. Glad you got home and had a good sleep.
Wow…a goodnight sleep is certainly something to cherish that I can personally relate to after a stretch of 40 days with 1 hour each of sleep for the first 35 and none the last 5…over 5 years ago…
And now more recently 2 to 3 hours at most from July of this year…until just several weeks ago…where the heaven of 9hours of sleep followed as a full day at a farm…
So..so..so hard to sleep sometimes ..but a treasure never the less..I see2 when it finally comes whether from returning to the home bed…or to life..my friend…..
Freya Writes... 
It is so funny Freya. Last night I too wrote a poem called Sleeplessness, but I took another perspective. I liked yours very much. >KB
How strange. It’s the 21st century disease, that’s for sure. Thank you 🙂
You are welcomed, thank you. >KB
So well described .. thoughts going in a circle. Wake at night… and hope you sleep well tonight
Mine are sometimes like a helter skelter! I slept very deeply last night, thank you!
i’m sorry for the loss of your dad – it’s so tough to say good bye – so cool though that you read one of his poems for him.. bet he would’ve loved it… and hope you’ll get that holiday sometime soon…
Thank you, Claudia. My heart was thumping fit to burst just before I read his poem out – especially when I saw how full the chapel actually was – standing room at the back! I bet he would have loved to see all those people there. I loved sharing his work with everyone.
I just posted out one of Shakespeare’s Sonnets, about sleeplessness, oddly enough. We must all have the Full Moon Blues. Lovely Poem! Like it very much 🙂
Oh, maybe that’s it! Thank you, Morgan.
The fragmented thoughts you have chosen accurately construct an all too familiar picture, but so hard to capture… Glad the day went well, quite an experience in that special space.
Thank you, Colin. Fragmented is just the right word, yes. It was an amazing experience, absolutely.
This is lovely Freya. You capture your fears and expectations so well.
Thank you. Mixing those emotions together is quite a potent mix!
What a momentous occasion. Sadness mingling with pride and memories. Reading a poem at that point in time seems incredibly auspicious to me. Making the occasion even more poignant and important.
Hope you had time to walk around there during your stay: my favourite area, especially within the old city walls.
It was momentous and I couldn’t quite believe that it was real. I never expected to be attending, let alone taking part in such an event. I work in the City, so I am in the area every day, but I did see it with new eyes yesterday, definitely.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s tough enough to sleep away from home without all the weight you must have been carrying. What a lovely thought to imagine you reading your father’s poetry at his memorial.
Thank you. It was a great honour – he would have loved every moment of it, absolutely.
I am not surprised you could not sleep last night, Freya! Your anxiousness and willingness to be ready on this very special and emotional occasion are very tangible. I hope all went well!
It did, thank you.
great example of how easily thoughts keep us wake at night…under those circumstances who could get a good night’s sleep anyway??
You are right. And at least it gave me the chance to be creative and make use of my time!
I would have lost sleep too! What a special place for a special family member–but I know because I read your intro, thinking it was part of the poem. RIP, and strength to you. AS for the poem itself, it matches my experience with sleeplessness before something I am responsible for is about to happen. Every half unfinished question and statement is perfectly timed, halted, wondered again.
Thank you, Susan. Yes, me and insomnia are long-time companions, so I know it well!
oy…def a tentative balance between being so tired and also the excitement in the reading….what an honor to be able to do…i bet you sleep good tonight as well…smiles…sounds like a very cool place….
I did indeed sleep very well last night after such a long day! It’s a stunning place, I want to visit it again, just as a tourist next time though!
You captured that sense of busy-mind that won’t shut up and let the dreams come. Be well 🙂
Busy-mind indeed! Thank you, I’m glad it did what I intended 🙂
I am so sorry for your loss. Lovely capture.
Thank you, Ayala.
Understand the tumbling lack of sleep. Bit jealous you could be in London at St. Paul’s – wish I were just a tube ride away from there. It’s a constant dream for me to be back in London where I feel at home.
It is an amazing place, within an area stuffed with history (as you know!). I would love to live that close, although a cardboard box would probably be the extent of my ‘home’ in that kind of area!
Hotel rooms can do that to a person, and I liked the guardian light. Sorry for your loss, glad you were able to share his work with everyone. Glad you got home and had a good sleep.
Thank you, Shanyn.
Wow…a goodnight sleep is certainly something to cherish that I can personally relate to after a stretch of 40 days with 1 hour each of sleep for the first 35 and none the last 5…over 5 years ago…
And now more recently 2 to 3 hours at most from July of this year…until just several weeks ago…where the heaven of 9hours of sleep followed as a full day at a farm…
So..so..so hard to sleep sometimes ..but a treasure never the less..I see2 when it finally comes whether from returning to the home bed…or to life..my friend…..
My goodness – how did you function!!!!???
Overall not very well and not at all during the 40 day period.. But much better now overall.. Thanks for asking,, smiles…
Here’s to many good nights sleep ahead!