大象传媒

This poem was submitted to the People's War site by Woodbridge Library on behalf of Miss Elisabeth Terry, and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

I toss from side to side upon my bed
My eiderdown slips from me like a snake-
Oh Blast! There goes the air raid warning "Red",
Now for the thunder heavy boots will make
As up upon the roof the watchers leap;
Their restless footsteps make the whole house quake:
I cannot sleep!
(The nurse is trying hard to keep awake.)

A nightingale is singing in a tree,
But such of that song, without a break,
I have grown tired and weary.
Next to me my neighbours's snores have made my head to ache.
I have been counting endless flocks of sheep,
It ought to work, there must be some mistake I cannot sleep-
The nurse is trying hard to keep awake.

I've roamed about the hospital in vain-
I've taken everything I've got to take-
And now I've staggered back to bed again-
I'm feeling full of Ovaltine and cake.
My bedclothes are all lying in a heap,
I'll give that snorer yet another shake-
I cannot sleep
The nurse is trying hard to keep awake.

Envoi

Sister, I want some slumber, calm and deep
Give me some choloroform for heaven's sake!
I CANNOT SLEEP!
(The nurse is trying hard to keep awake.)

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