March 17, 2015

  • Looking Irish

    Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
    StPattyMouse

    I have counted sheep
    Watched them jump over fences
    The insomnia
    Taking a nightly census
    My whole life is sheep and lambs

    This is a Tanka for the March 2015 Scavenger Hunt. A Tanka is a Japanese form consisting of 5 lines where a strict syllable count is used. The syllables for each line is as follows: 5-7-5-7-7. There is no rhyme or meter requirement as usual in Japanese poetry. I used the prompt - What is a history or portrait of your life as measured by lions or lambs? Intermittently over my life I have had insomnia. I can recall periods of emotional and physical stress that resulted in sleep being an elusive state. In college I would have some trouble sleeping before big tests. I used that to my advantage and would rise from my bed and review my notes or reread a chapter. As I had children, the insomnia took the form of hearing every sound that they made - a soft gurgle, a rustling of covers, a cough. This auditory acuity caused me to lay awake trying to determine if I was needed. Soon the insomnia took the form of work stresses. I would not be able to turn off the instant replay of the day's events. I would rewind and review my actions asking myself if I said the right thing, did the right thing, wondering if I had forgotten anything. As the boys gained independence, I would worry myself into wakefulness over their safety while driving, when away at school, while at work. The idea of counting sheep to induce sleep is part of our culture but it was never effective for me. I had phenomenal counting skills and the sheep just kept coming. I've had insomnia but it is so sporadic that I've never needed sleeping pills. For the most part I lay my head on my pillow and close my eyes and simply slide into sleep. There is no ferocious lion tearing sleep from me or devouring my dreams. I know some people who struggle to reach that REM state. I wish it weren't so. Those lions are difficult to deal with even when they are glutted on lambs!

Comments (10)

  • Seems like I get a good night's sleep about every other night ~ ;)

    • Insomnia can be horrible. I'm lucky it isn't something I have routinely. Still I've had my share of sleepless nights.

  • I am so envious that you can sleep so easily.
    I thank God every time I get a good night's sleep, about every three to five days!

    • I am so sorry that you struggle with sleep. My mother also suffers insomnia. I don't recall her having a problem when she was younger but age has changed things...

  • Counting sheep? I heard today, on NPR, that the Irish eat lamb, not corned beef, on St. Patrick's Day.

    • I believe it - I think the corned beef is an American tradition. Corned beef being the cheapest cut (and toughest thus requiring corning to be edible) and was all the immigrant Irish could afford along with the cheap foods of cabbage and potatoes...

  • Lately, I have been waking up worried. That is so unlike me. Bummer.

    Wishing you peaceful, restful sleep.

    frank

    • I've been so tired that I've been able to sleep soundly... I'll wish you a serene sleep and a worry free awakening!

  • Baaa-1, Baaa-2, Baaa-3
    I can picture them jumping over a fence, but I'd get bored way before falling to sleep and my mind would wander.

    regarding something you said in the comment section: I found it interesting reading the whys of the tradition of corned beef and cabbage for the Irish holiday. I never thought of it before, but it makes sense.

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