Visitor Ghazal – by Megan Cartwright

ISLAND | ONLINE ONLY

In its practised temperance the monks’ routine compels sleep –

yet in this land I have no language; I cannot spell sleep.

 

Outsider – conspicuous. I imitate reverence.

I count sheep. In the dark my heart pounds like a death knell: sleep.

 

Tuesday’s dawn breaks my heart, the veins of morning swollen pink,

bloodshot proof that night and day are inescapable – sleep.

 

Strange days. Scuttling sightseers, we configure in shoals,

We are pilgrims mouthing platitudes while citadels sleep.

 

The masks worn at mealtimes are needless – we censor ourselves.

Meditation makes manifest the truths that repel sleep.

 

No rest among carved gods and dead-eyed carp. Lotus plants lay

their slender necks atop my Writer’s block and dispel sleep.

 

Image: Duong Ngan - Unsplash


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Megan Cartwright

Megan Cartwright (she/her) is an Australian poet and college Literature teacher. Her writing has featured in Cordite Poetry Review and Swim Meet Lit Mag, and is forthcoming in Verandah. She was also one of Red Room Poetry's '30 in 30' 2024 Poetry Month Prompt Competition winners. 

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