Julie Stevens, Lying in Bed

LYING IN BED

Early morning brings me to my senses

Another day to survive the madness of me

Can I lie here some more?

It seems I’m flying this morning

Hovering over a mattress by one finger length

Rather than waking to a body full of splinters

Today I’m suspended with dreamy voices

Whispering angelic words of an ideal existence

Can I lie here some more seems to be a fitting request

Activities start in the house

Cutlery crashing, children shouting

I instantly land on a bed no longer soft

It takes a few minutes of wriggling and pushing

Before I’m sat knowingly on the edge

The solid wall reassures me whilst I find my legs

Full of unsteady leaking sludge

The floor doesn’t seem safe anymore

My first steps are laboured

Sinking in potholes left in strategic places

Slowly and tentatively I reach the chest of drawers

And enjoy its steady workmanship

I grab a stick and tap into my day