I Couldn’t Sleep Last Night

I Couldn’t Sleep Last Night
a Poem
by JEL

I couldn’t sleep last night
My heart kept hammering in my chest
I lay down and curled my body under my blankets
I closed my eyes
They snapped open within seconds and tears began to flow
I couldn’t sleep last night

I couldn’t sleep last night
Maybe I was afraid that if I slept I would wake up
And find it all had been a dream
Then I realized it WAS a dream
A Dream that had come true
I couldn’t sleep last night

I couldn’t sleep last night
Because I saw things that I’ve never seen before
Because I felt things that I’ve never felt before
I saw my country’s people take to the streets in celebration
Celebrating love, unity, and hope for the future
I felt for the first time
The first time in my life what I had always wondered about
I had seen on history reels of people so excited about JFK
In my heart I just could not understand
Now I understand
I couldn’t sleep last night

I couldn’t sleep last night
Rest did not come to me, no matter how much I wanted it
How my life echoes this
How things are circular and how the past and present and future
Are linked inside me
I never knew this could ever happen
I couldn’t sleep last night

I couldnt sleep last night
And now last night is this morning
The sun is yet to rise on this new day
But the sun shines bright inside me
Bright as Lady Liberty’s torch who’s welcoming rays shine forth to all
Maybe tonight I’ll be able to sleep
How my soul trembles to see history alive and in the making
I was there, I was a part of it, I helped
I couldn’t sleep last night

I couldnt sleep last night
Strange to say this, but when that grand lady passed away
I knew that the day was won
Deep in my heart I knew. Because she knew and could finally leave this plane
Knowing that her job had been well done.
Bless her, and Bless Us All
I dream awake, and wonder at the world and hope to the future
I couldn’t sleep last night
I couldn’t sleep last night
I couldn’t sleep last night