Night Owl

As twilight passes into dark,
And diamond stars the evening spark
I trawl the rooms and corridors,
And pace the stairs and all the floors.

A newfound surge of energy
Has arrived to awaken me
And enliven forces, somewhere deep,
As others wind down into sleep.

Common sense urges slumber
- One is such a lonely number
Despite the newly restless mind,
Sleep debt must be paid in kind.

But like a punchy boxer trying to fight,
I resist the lure of Mother Night
Until all rationale is spent,
And to dreams and sleep I must relent.

Finally, I succumb,
My eyes half closed, my features numb
The clock long passing Midnight's crest,
When sleep is deep and at its best.

Yet still I struggle like I'm drowning,
Even as the new sun's crowning
Treading waters of night's dark sea,
Afraid of it engulfing me.

When dawn trumpets all to rise
- The part of day I most despise
A heavy cowl still wraps my mind,
Tight in a soporific bind.

Blearily I trudge downstairs,
Yawning like a wakened bear
Searching for that kinetic spark,
Elusive until all is dark.

There are owls and there are larks,
Feathered kin but poles apart
The early risers and late sleepers,
The doona snugglers and hallway creepers.

And hummingbirds, in between,
Who quietly survey the scene
Knowing that their patterns best,
To live the day and have their rest.