Asleep and Adrift

 

If a man is sleeping

Leave him alone,

Find someone else

With whom to pick a bone.

He has worked hard

Preparing for bed

Let him lie down

And rest his head.

But this is urgent

I hear you whine

But if he’s still sleeping

It’s not a good time.

We had a contract

He made a promise

Much to be dealt with

There is a long list.

To whom can I turn?

Who else can I try?

Is there none awake

On whom I can rely?

Where are the others

That signed on the line?

Are they sleeping too?

Even at this time?

They too are resting

But talk in their sleep,

And whatever they say

Is never complete.

If a man is sleeping

Leave him alone,

Find someone else

With whom to pick a bone.

But he promised

To meet my need,

He said to me,

“I’m a friend indeed.

My door is open,

No need to knock,

If I’m not there

I’m on the block.”

Now I am calling

He’s sleeping, stalling,

This is appalling,

Everything is falling.

When can I return?

When he is awake,

When will that be?

During his next break.

What do you mean?

Please explain to me

Help me understand

About this mystery.

Every now and again

He turns on his side,

To seize the moment

You must here abide.

Whenever he awakes

Something will be said,

What a defining moment!

He doesn’t lift his head.

How he’s able to do it

All we can do is guess,

He is savvy and adept

At sleeping through a mess.

I’m begging you please

Tell to him my name,

He’ll make an exception

To rid me of this pain.

If a man is sleeping

Leave him alone,

Find someone else

With whom to pick your bone.

Any man who sleeps

And takes naps in between

Is in a dream world

That is clear to be seen.

So better to let him sleep

Never ever disturb

The solution he offers

Will make you more perturb.

You think he’s awake

Attending your concern

But he’s asleep, adrift

Doesn’t care if you burn.

  

For how could he care

When he is fast asleep?

He doesn’t hear a thing

Not even when alarms beep.

One thing I can tell you

You can believe it or not,

Trying to wake this man

Is trying to wake a big rock.

You’d better find another,

However hard you search

The chances are anyhow,

You’d still be left in the lurch.

So if he is sleeping

Better leave him alone,

Go and find someone else

With whom to pick your bone.

Stewart Russell © 2014