With difficulty I awake from my slumber 
I understand that I am no longer sleeping 
I place my feet on the soft thread of my floor, feeling the slight tinge of pain in my knees 
Yet the noise and images from beyond are transparently fixed in my mind 

I go about my waking rituals 
Water splashes my face, warm and inviting 
The scent of honey and lemon, revitalizing my senses  
I look upon the person in the mirror, reflecting on the image in my mind 

After I situate myself for the task of the day 
I exit my sanctuary and enter reality 
The sun is rising and awakening  
Its rays peaking in from the blinds, illuminating the foggy dark depths of my mind 

My eyes are still blurry with water, I dismiss and rationalize it to be allergies 
The sun is warm on my skin, it stings, uncomfortably supplying nourishment  
I wish it were raining, the sky washing away the image and hollowness that lingers 
The physical evidence that wanting is different from needing  

I take a breath, deep and ragged 
I know I cannot continue this way, there are things to do 
I stiffen my back, my muscles aching, the sun dulls as the fog seeps out of my mind 
I must find a way to remove all these blurred edges

2019
Krista Gabbard