Can’t Sleep
From the book My Hippo Has the Hiccups
I’m battling insomnia.
I cannot get to sleep
despite a rather valiant
attempt at counting sheep.
I counted to a hundred.
Then I had a glass of milk.
I fluffed my little pillow
in its pillowcase of silk.
I made a pot of herbal tea
and drank at least a cup.
I sang myself a lullaby
and pulled my blankie up.
I plugged my ears with cotton balls.
I covered up my eyes.
I took relaxing breaths
and did a stretching exercise.
I’ve tried and tried to get to sleep
but just can’t find a way.
It’s looking like I’ll have to
stay awake in class today.
— Kenn Nesbitt
Copyright © 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Reading Level: Grade 3
Topics: School Poems, Sleep
Poetic Techniques: Irony, List Poems, Lyric & Dramatic Poems
From the book My Hippo Has the Hiccups
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