Some people like a gummy or a drink in the evening

A little something on board to help when it comes to sleeping

I often shake my head in disapproval

A hot bath, an almond-croissant scented candle, and a novel

To me is so much better than any bottle

A simple wind-down routine is beautiful

But on Friday night I awoke at 1:36

I thought it was 4-something

My nostrils and throat were bubbling

I needed a fix

I found some Afrin

But turns out it wasn’t long-lastin’

I was up again at 3:30

Sniffling, I hoped no one heard me

I mustered through Saturday

Ran the 13 miles that was on my plate

Took a little trip to the drug store

I knew what to get because I’d done it a few weeks before

That blue-green box with the liquid gels

I looked forward to those capsules casting their spells

Saturday night I had a good dinner

The sun set early and it felt a bit like winter

Hot bath, candle, book

Then to the medicine cabinet my tired body took

Two capsules of Nyquil, two big gulps of water

Two shots of Afrin

I was spent, had nothing left to offer

What a pretty fall night

I plopped in bed, put my earplugs in tight

It was pitch black

Like I was headed for outer space

I was in a cushiony case

10 hours later I came to

Every cell had been renewed

No bathroom trips along the way

No restless pup to wake me up

No dreams or nightmares

Of everything, I was unaware

The next day: not anxious, nose still a bit stuffy

But eyes not puffy, no plans to be famous

But grateful for my cocktail

It set me free from a respiratory infection’s travails

So I don’t judge what’s in your cabinet

What kind of elixir is your habit

Go to sleep

Embrace the fall air

Go into an unconscious sort of state

See what happens, how you feel, when you awake