Now i lay me

i wake up from a dream

of a war that i have never been a part of

scratches on my arms from

running, chasing, hiding

an imaginary enemy

i am fighting

without weapons

without safety

without reason

the air conditioner hums and cools

 the beads of sweat on my brow

the hostile branches i realize

are just clingy sheets

i am surrendering

without fear

without aggression

without pain

 i allow the fatigue to overtake me
the luxury of protected sleep

enwraps me as a warm blanket

tonight i don't have to fight

because someone else is

without name

without recognition

without hesitating

          This is my first entry for Poetry Slam.  Thank you for listening.  Thank you for hearing.  Thank you for remembering.