and still - the dog walks me (first draft)

legs quivering, 
like a spluttering candle,
I wondered 
if they would carry me
down footpath and bridleways
of Piper's evening walk. 

I managed,just; then felt 
relieved to reach 
the portal
of our shared abode. 

Exhaustion breaks me, the result
not only of today's exertion but, 
rather a reminder
of last night's sparse
and troubled sleep.

The sun may shine
on just and unjust alike -
but then it rains

it pours, a plenitude
of aches and pains,

a multitude
of torments to endure




malcolm evison
15 november 2016

RESTLESS NIGHT - Illustrated Poem

RESTLESS

RESTLESS

shattered but even so

muscle mind and bloated

intestines resist

the urge to sleep

each yawn stifled

by fear

of what new ailment

will inhabit this aching

hulk of flesh skin and bones

should my defences fail

discomfort is all

both yielding and resisting

sup far too deeply

on a scarce reserve

of stamina

Malcolm Evison

00.35 18 March 2016

SHATTERED

SHATTERED

he rails exhaustedly

against

the unrelenting night -

shattered

by restlessness

he groans

a welcome

to a new daybreak

prays that it's not

an uninvited dream -

still rails against

the unrelenting night

then collapses

into sleep

          Malcolm Evison

          10 September 2011