Nineteen hours sleep

I slept for nineteen hours
awoke emaciated and empty
as I had fallen asleep emaciated and empty.
Heartbeat slower than the seconds on the clock
heavy like the beat of a drum
announcing a public execution.
Did I know as I had closed my eyes, so long ago
that I was lying down to die?
I gave into the darkness then
to one day step into the light
But awoke to find just bare bulbs
and grey, shadowed memories
wishing I was somewhere else
and someone that I'd never be
someone's that I'd never be
again

19-12-02
LEF