Kyle Schlicher - Pretend Sleep

listening while sleeping
tense
ready to jump up
in a flash.

sleeping with one eye open
because of fear
is a skill
to be mastered.

breathing slow
while sleeping
so as to better hear
unfamiliar sounds.

sleeping without dreaming
fearful of awakening
here
in this horrible place.

pretend sleep.

(8-22-1968)

Kyle Schlicher

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/pretend-sleep/