I now sleep on the same bed where my father used to sleep,
it feels cosy at night but in the morning I weep,
he snored with no rhythm,
he snored so loud and it told no tale, neither did it make me want to sleep,
it’s a hole so deep,
sometimes I drown in my own sweat,
sometimes it’s so hard that it makes my body ache,
I don’t want to sleep on it again,
but it’s the only bed there is in the house,
spooky feeling, slow healing,
the bedbugs won’t let me sleep,
they take away my pride of being a dreamer,
they say who doesn’t dream is as good as dead,
I feel dead for a moment as my dreams are nowhere to be found,
it’s a bed i never thought it would be hard for me to sleep on,
I now regard my father with a different eye,
the eye that never dances,
never blinks,
never stops being white,
that’s what being in my father’s shoes feels like.
Photo by Wendelin Jacober from Pexels
About the Poet
I am a writer who writes about everything: culture, life, people’s thoughts, imaginations etc. I live in Kenya, Mombasa to be precise( beautiful and strong culture). Walking makes everything great!
For guest post enquiries, email: ingrid@experimentsinfiction.com
A lovely poem, Joel. The circle of life!
I agree!
Thank you Hobbo, yes ,true. you learn then later in life you teach.
Indeed, and you are very welcome.
Love the beautiful emotion and form of this compelling piece!
Thank you for reading Jaya!
Thank you Jaya!
Oh, so touching. Reminds me when i was bitten by bedbugs in high school. 😒 Such a wonderful piece that I can resonate with. Thumbs-up, Joel. 😇
😊🙏
Thanks a lot!
I think I’d rather sleep on the floor! The bed in this holds so much symbolism, it feels so heavy to me. Great write, Joel! 👏👏
Me too, Tricia! Heavy with the weight of memory.
yes!
Thank you Tricia. i appreciate your positive comment. The bed is as heavy as you think Tricia, it’s usually a gap that you can’t fill so easily.
My pleasure, you are a talented writer! 💓
My heart and emotions are warm because of your positive comment. Thank you!
A beautiful and sad poem that is about a bed and yet also not about a bed, but a dream of shoes. Well done, Joel.
A perceptive comment Nick!
Thank you Nick..i appreciate for reading this piece.
Pleasure, Joel. I enjoyed it.
This is such lovely and tender. It is also filled with much sorrow. So beautiful. Hugs, Joni
Thank you for reading Joni ❤️
My pleasure Ingrid. 🤗❤️
truly a tender hearted piece and love all of the metaphors and ties Ingrid! 👏💖
I’m glad you enjoyed this Cindy! 💕
Marvelous. The changing, never-blinking eye, so aptly describes our ancestors presence.
Thank you for reading and commenting K!
Thank you Hartless.
This is deeply beautiful, bringing layers of stories of each generation affecting the next.
Thank you! yes, one generation to the next usually go parallel each other. They don’t meet, but talk of the same story because of difference in eras.
Thank you for reading 🙏
Powerful poem, Joel. Thank you for sharing Joel’s work with us, Ingrid.
Thank you Jeff.
You’re most welcome, Joel. Is my pleasure.
My pleasure Jeff!
Hi Joel, Your father must be hopeful and happy for you. How his learnings helps you to live your dreams? How he inspires you?
I wish his memories empower in a better human. 🙂
Thanks to EIF for sharing the poetry.
Thank You Lokesh! Sure memories will.
A wonderful comment Lokesh!
Wow, this is so beautiful Joel!
Thank you for stopping by Ishita!
Thank you Ishita. i am humbled!
Inheritance is both burden and gift. (K)
Indeed!
True , and it’s something we can’t run away from. Good or bad we have to embrace it.
Joel, thank you for sharing your experiences in this heartfelt poem All the best to you! <3
Thank you, Ingrid for sharing this meaningful poem. <3
Thank you Cheryl, a lot. i appreciate .
Thank you for visiting and commenting Cheryl ❤️
A beautiful poem!
I agree!
Thank you!
Wow amazing poem… wow!! 🙏👏❤️
It’s good isn’t it? ❤️