​Dani Cojo

Restless Nights

                     -Published in Oakland Post Blogs


Tossing and turning,
I can’t seem to relax.
My eyes are shut tight,
But my mind is wide open.

Jumbled thoughts
Swirl ‘round and ‘round
In the empty, hollow cavern
That is my skull.

Bright ideas
Light up dark canvases
That are pinned to the back
Of my eyelids.
I can’t tell if it’s day or night.

I count sheep:
1, 2, 3 – until I lose track around 270.
I change position.
I lie sprawled out on my stomach,
Flat on my back,
Curled in a fetal position.
Nothing feels comfortable.
Nothing feels right

I give up.
I open my eyes,


And look at the blue 5:25 on my clock.




Five more minutes before my alarm goes off.