I know this well. I gotta figure out what I eat nightly. Should be my words, but prob something else. Unyeilding sleep, yes, that's what I want - that mistress of somnolence can be cruel, eh?

An intensely powerful write, Gene; one can feel the anguish. Love and peace to you,

Regis

you Gene are an awesome wordsmith!

Nothing superfluous...the anxiety is palpable...the language is perfect...one line more brilliant than the next. Superior write! ~Best, Elizabeth

... until line 16 my eyes were out on stops, thinkin you must have been inside my brain in Accident and Emergency a week or so ago! Ahhhhhhhh, but then the softly cooing ode to this elusive Mistress of Sleep is totally DIVINE! I could fall in love with her myself, you paint such tantalising, teasing seduction. Gene, this is masterful stuff - the first section bang-bang, we feel that panic and airways closing with you... then the turn and the relief - in words and emotion if not in actuality as she continues to elude. One of your very, VERY best poems in my estimation: sorry, but sleeplessness is good for your pen! :))

"lay softly on my naked eyes" - this is drop-dead gorgeous as the subtle word/mind play swaps the order of words to make this even more sexy. Now this must be something I'm TAKING!!!!!! LOL :)) xx

What an awful experience and you bring it to life. I hope you are better if you were experiencing such pain.

gripping, intense and effectively descriptive ...

wow! A powerfully written poem with a name I never heard of! I do know what being in severe pain and unable to breathe is like.very scary condition. So glad to see you writing, and superb,as always!
All the best to you,be well soon!

I was having trouble sleeping and found out that I have a slight case of sleep apnea...I do have one of those machines, but I really cannot use it. So now I meditate before bed, I bring my mind to a very tranquil and beautiful place and then fall asleep with a calm mind and body.

Meditate dear Gene, it could help with this nyctophobia...

I wish you wellness and peace, love and light,
Amber

at first I thought th etitle dealt with the goulish sexual attrsaction to dead people...so after figuring it out ..it was actuallya breath of paniced fresh air...yepp sometimes fout of the blue it may creep up on us...Nyctophiba...learn something new every day

Your talented words surround and take one on the same journey through the fear of the dark leaving me with goosebumps...splendid write, Gene

Carole~

Had to look that up Gene. Fear of the dark, or can it be that you need a CPAP machine to keep your throat open? Your writing of this all consuming problem is intense. Makes me want to hold my breath until the end. Oh for the embrace of a deep unyielding sleep.

Gene,

Wonderful write.

Mary

Gene, your romantic assessment of Mr. "Nyct O Phobia", the little Greek fellow who dares to steal away with your somnolence is a masterpiece and testament to your considerable writing talents. A remedy while probably not one forwarded by the folks in the medical profession, may be a gentle kiss on the lips an hour before bedtime from those gracious twins, Gin and Vermouth. Or their less romantic twin sisters, Scotch and Soda? No laughing matter I know Gene as a longtime sufferer myself. As for Uvula, that insensitive (over sensitive?) always flapping about with total abandon for our needs. Now the joking around stops and my genuine wish is that you are able to have this intolerable situation resolved so that you may rest peacefully when dreams be your wish my dear friend. I hope that immense love and peace are with you this day. Keep that mind, pen and your writing fingers active for our enjoyment. Jon Michael

' Lay softly on my naked eyes'....'Embrace me in the emptiness of deep unyielding sleep'------------VERY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Liana Margiva

Gene as usual your words speak loud through the end of your fingers, A great write.

Newfie Hugs, Rose

Once again, Gene, you are a master of language! And how well we can feel what you offer here through your words!

It's all in the language, Gene, your facility and ability to communicate the action of anxiety, the restlessness and at the same time give us a softer, romantic view through the image of the invited mistress.
A fifth od Scotch is part of your heritage, you once told me - go for it! - it might just rein in that 'runaway psyche'...

John

This is full of angst that I can feel and unique descriptions that resonate deeply within me. I like how you tie the restlesness of intimidation of the night in with the female form, as you mention a "sweet mistress" and a "fugitive angel" (by the way, that is an awesome line! my favorite), a combination I am often very fond of. Women and the night just seem to go together for me, and apparently you feel the same.. at least in this poem. This took me to a dark world of beauty and unrest... very moving and very potent.

I love "sodden body" and your close-range "thought" and "juggernaut." What a great word - juggernaut - so rarely used. What might happen in this darkness - something gleaned in the periphery of our neurosis reaches out to touch? Something lurking in the shadows of what might've been breathes its cold breath upon skin left uncovered? Will our monsters creep out from under the bed? May your sweet mistress cling all the nights hereafter ~

Left me breathless...stomach knotted with anxiety....well done, Gene!!!

Anna

A sleepness night with no rest in sight makes for a difficult day, so sorry...

Be always safe,
Karen

In fear of the night has a book title sound, a sci-fi laden with angels and demons - try counting gulls, sheep no more, you must have ate leg of lamb...scotch trumps nyquil. Sleep well, Gene.

"runaway psyche" is such a mind-bender term. Escapism lodged in gray matter.

Well done, Gene.

Thanks to Karla for defining nyctophobia,and to you, Gene, for this well written description of what you are experiening.

Cheers,
Dan

Ah the sandman is needed here.

George

Nyctophobia . . . Easy for you to say. I understand everything else, however. I went for years and years with four to six hours of sleep, most time even less until finally modern miracle medicine has me sleeping wonderfully these days. Uh, for the most part.

A claustrophobic feel to these lines ... fear of sleep? Night? Effectively penned, Gene, well done. Leaves goosebumps!

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.