A manta ray presents embrace,
And while I wrestle with the Race,
I'm lulled to sleep by flickering beam
In turquoise ocean depths of grace.
Cocooned inside, a rising steam
Within, a pearl in oyster's gleam
Without, extensive cold and worse
So languor will suffice, I deem.
I lie within a wrap-'round verse.
If 'tis a blessing, 'tis a curse,
For few are those to glory sped
Who choose in slumber to immerse.
The early paper sits unread
And swaddling sonnets 'round my bed,
While thoughts of heralds lacking peer
Go twisting through my sleepy head.
My 'lectric rooster thinks it queer
To stop without the mid-day near
Between the berth and frozen leap
Such arctic mornings of the year.
The bunk is lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
* Apologies to Robert Frost.
Manish Vij