nighttime

nighttime 

by delphie

why is it that at nine, evening time
my body is sluggish
limbs limp and lungs done giving breath to
speaking lips
for the day
why is it that once under covers,
my eyes are alive 
palms pulsing to the window latch and
why is it that nighttime air smells so much fresher?
stiller.
for once at peace, as that sleepiness
slips 
slowly from reach 
the black sky air finds home up, up my nose, out, 
out my nose
and the quiet is my calm
for once. 
until four, at dawn,
the creaking and closing feeling a
finds my eyes
once more 
i’ll sleep then,
my heart hung, a tight knot knowing the day
does not hold me
how nighttime does