Sleep

what I really want is
for the silent drip of sleep
to cover my eyes
in gray water
and let me drift away.
nothing more.
no shimmering redemption
no crisp daylight
no falling leaves, no
change in seasons.
I do not care for
green chutes slinking
up from the ground
any longer,
and when my eyes are
open, all I see is
a scratch on my chest
and weak ankles.
I do not want what
I once wanted.
I need no diamond
rings, no muse.
just a mask
of sleep
(and perhaps a
dream or two
of something better)