Off call

Silent burden, unseen weight
Companion of years, my partner in fate
Of lonely dinners long gone cold
Together we age, together grow old.
Missed fairytales and goodnight kisses
Headlight’s flicker disturbing “the missus”.
Heart attack asthma caesarean born
Trauma OD bloody red dawn
Weary of night, the yoke near lifted
Cresting sun, you’re happily gifted.
Starlight’s tarnish is tired and grumpy
Cups of coffee, sugar that’s lumpy.
Dreams cleft and left unclaimed
Mindless drifting readily explained.
Prematurely pulled warm from bed
Thoughts can be fragile, movements like lead.
Perchance at home, if need is slight
Family television, lounge at night
The rest is tainted, not quite as sweet
As those untroubled by calls from sleep.
Veterans know it’s a waiting game;
Fortune’s spin, career’s disdain
And so I wake at nocte’s fall
Delighted clocks strike — “You’re now off call!”