If You're Gazing Upward at 4 a.m.

Dear Sleepers:

I've said it before, I'll say it again: I'm a conoisseur of sleep, not a sleepyhead (even if I do crave more and more of it since the arrival of our little sleeper, who is a good sleeper, quite). But I love this poem by Dorothy Parker. Who is better at endings than Dorothy Parker?

Yours,
Marie of Romania

INSCRIPTION FOR THE CEILING OF A BEDROOM

Daily dawns another day;
I must up, to make my way.
Though I dress and drink and eat,
Move my fingers and my feet,
Learn a little, here and there,
Weep and laugh and sweat and swear,
Hear a song, or watch a stage,
Leave some words upon a page,
Claim a foe, or hail a friend—
Bed awaits me at the end.

Though I go in pride and strength,
I’ll come back to bed at length.
Though I walk in blinded woe,
Back to bed I’m bound to go.
High my heart, or bowed my head,
All my days but lead to bed.
Up, and out, and on; and then
Ever back to bed again,
Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall—
I’m a fool to rise at all!