Nightmares

Sleep eludes my eyes
for long dark hours
it hides from me
as I seek it
desperate to escape
into the world of dreams
But when it comes
it is not restful
My eyes are now filled
with nightmares
Shadowy beings
Struggle against my eyelids
drowning in a wall of water
crashing down from nowhere            
I watch open eyed                            
in my restless slumber
Now I fight to wake
A malevolent force
forcing my eyes shut
I resist its pull
wanting only to escape
With a mighty heave
I snap into wakefulness
Drenched in sweat
I draw huge gulps of air
into my tortured lungs
and wonder why
I ever wanted to sleep


© 2013 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved