Sandy Supposes....

Dreams? Never

PROMPT May 7th

In your entry today, write about dreams. Do you dream often, or do you rarely remember your dreams? What is the strangest or most memorable dream you have ever had?

         No one could, or should call me a dreamer. I'm a tosser-turner. Every night I struggle to fall asleep. I relate to the internet memes that depict the brain asking strange questions as its host attempts to slumber. It's as if my brain decides to enter a marathon just as my head hits the pillow.

          Snippets of conversation swirl amid news reel scenes. Memories resurface to bounce and bob along. Writing nuggets clamor to be noticed and are only silenced if I rise, search for a pen and paper, and scribble them down. Plans that had not existed pre-bedtime float into focus. That elusive word, or phrase that niggled just out of reach all day jumps up and shouts, "Here I am." That comment I meant to share earlier waves.

         I don't count sheep. I tend to scrutinize each one and think how to best describe them. I wonder why the heck some consider this a sleep aid. Why must the sheep jump? Where should they jump from and what kind of jump is best for them? Are sheep mindless followers? Oh, aren't gullible people referred to as 'sheeple?' Huh, sheep get a bad rap / rep. Why am I singing Baa Baa Black Sheep? Did any one other than Mary have a little lamb? Ack!

         I've tried forced and controlled relaxation of my various body parts. This seems to take too long. By the time I've willed my head and neck to relax and I'm concentrating on one of my arms my nose develops an itch. If I somehow manage to reach my lower limbs my neck is screaming that it's uncomfortable and it's imperative that I change position, or risk permanent paralysis. My legs refuse to cooperate at all. They moan and groan. Nothing makes them happy and they prefer to thrash about. At their most contrary they surprise me with an excruciating cramp, or charlie horse. My reaction is the polar opposite of calm and serene.

         So, no, I never dream. To be accurate, I rarely experience restorative sleep. By the tortured time I finally fall sleep I'm exhausted and in a brief time I'm awakened by my body's urgent need to roll over.