The winding country roads have no illumination,

Just a line to stay safe

On one side at least.

My mind is screaming stay awake,

But a new form of tiredness is upon me,

Exhaustion, peace, desperation for sleep,

All together pulling me astray,

as the hospital, and dad, become more distant.

Eventually, I pull over, leaving the dismayed cars behind,

An opportunity to pass,

And the pressure of my needy awakeness subsides,

For a moment.

But soon I am home,

safe and resting.