Poem #2,790 | I am feeling out cruel end-days

I am feeling out cruel end-days
with my stiffening senses
[time
will hasten my demise it is said
– a long-in-t’-tooth soothsayer
mumbles his wearing advice] –
Some’ll seek refuge in sleep &
touch a lucent dream enough –
we will live youthful nights & in
our beds put off a last slumber
long enough –
enough to avoid rub of thought
& enough to avoid it all –
‘til our
stir from such distraction falls –
nine thousand sleeps & then I’ll
count no more
[stiffening done]