Nature
Sleep
From Poems New and Old (1920)
Nature
Not a dream brush your sleep,
Not a thought wake and creep
In upon your spirit's slumber;
Not a memory encumber,
Nor a thievish care unbar
Sleep's portcullis that no star
Nor sentry hath. I'll not speak
With my soul even: no, nor seek
Other happiness for you
When you this happy sleep sleep through.
Let no least desire waver
Between us, nor impatience quaver;
No sudden nearness of me flush
Your veins with welcome.... Hush, hush!
Be still, my thoughts, lest you creep
Unawares into her sleep.
Cite this poem
MLA
Freeman, John. “Sleep.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/freeman/178/.
Chicago
Freeman, John. “Sleep.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/freeman/178/.
Read this poem with the Codex →