The Warrior(1990)

At one point sleep overcomes
Or dares to reign supreme
His jaw drops, the lids droop
The body laments
The gathering storm of aches
Past weary days of grind

But he defies the threat
Heaves the last of breaths
Assaults the senses
Rubs the sternum
Crushes numb nipples
Until they bleed
And he stays awake!

In time his consciousness yields
For all must sleep.

But his is emancipation!
Having slept but content
From daring the powers
Of stealth siren songs
Probing the potentiality
With ears unstopped
And not succumbing at all.

Instead he pries his eyes
Wide open during the day
Wring his nerves
Against the cold of the night
To the limit of pain
Of blood, of love, of life.

But in time his spirit yields
For all must sleep.