Sleepless Nights

Sleepless nights

stretch out like highways—

quiet, endless,

full of thoughts I wish

would leave me alone.

I lie awake

counting the things I can’t fix,

listening to the clock

drag its feet,

feeling the weight of every memory

that refuses to fade.

And somewhere between midnight

and whatever comes after,

I start to wonder

if sleep is avoiding me—

or if I’m avoiding myself.