A Cool, Dark, Quiet Place
For optimal sleep, this is the
Room we need, certain
Voices say, though I think the sense
In it (in that) might be apparent
To reach out to the left or right
Then bring it in
Like muscles with a game ball
Lights out maybe with a care toward
Preplanning disorientation
From lack of light
We’ll need something soft, too, for
Our belly or our hip or our butt
Plus something for our head
Resting to the side or back or somehow with
The face pressed down
The coolness comes from moving air
Though climate control has become a
Denser thing, inside
As for quiet, we are on a noisy planet
Where some think noise is just for them
And could it harm the rest of us?
Let’s not think about that
In our cars,
On top of our neighbors
(I’m not bitter)
Cool, dark, quiet
And we sleep
I tend to think we figure
Other things might go that way—
Sex and, yes, well, rock ‘n roll
The play when that’s the thing
Our time in movie houses
Maybe for some exercise of other
Sorts, a walk at night, escorted,
Maybe in the rain
So I think we should vote for this
Approve efforts to make it happen
Good night to you
God keep you
God buy you
Goodbye
C L Couch
Photo by Ryan Searle on Unsplash
Heal’s, London, United Kingdom
January 27, 2020 at 3:50 pm
I wonder if there is ever an optimal anything. Certainly for sleep, everything can be perfect, dead silence etc etc and a car goes by. It might be the only car that went by in a week, but that makes it guaranteed to wake you. Not to mention the upstairs neighbour testing new hiking boots at three in the morning..
The photograph is my idea of a nightmare…
January 29, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Yeah, my nightmare, too. Lately, a real nightmare thanks to real neighbors. Quiet doesn’t have to be absolute; in fact, small noises are often welcome. But uninvited and obnoxious thuds are too much.
January 29, 2020 at 8:21 pm
Like being able to sleep through the throb of constant traffic, but if a motorbike roars past you wake up.
January 28, 2020 at 12:02 pm
Good night to you too, Christopher. I love this and love how we should vote for this, approve efforts to make it happen. Yes.
January 31, 2020 at 5:43 pm
I like to think a lot can happen, Cathy, when we choose.
January 29, 2020 at 7:21 am
oh the setting is indeed optimal for peaceful life. and the part about noisy world and neighbors made me chuckle. so so so true, brother. i love how reflective this is, all your poems are, actually.
January 29, 2020 at 4:01 pm
I’m so glad you laughed. Right now, I’m trying to see the humor in new noise I’ve been trying to get rid of. I’m not really laughing yet. Your work looks deep inside, sister. I’m happy we share this interest.
January 31, 2020 at 6:22 am
oh i hope there will be lesser noise and more quiet now, brother. thank you and cheers for deep thinking!
January 31, 2020 at 5:42 pm
Yes, cheers!
For now, the cool quiet place is a dream. I’m trying to be hopeful!