I awoke from a restless night
Feeling groggy and confused
A small thunderstorm outside my window
Delivered thunder, lightning, and rain

The day had unlimited potential
But I couldn’t see it from my bed
Festering in obscurity and clouds
And too many thoughts in my head

Did I imagine the storm?
Or was I still asleep?
The darkness of the night began to fade
As a dull blanket of gray entered the room

No more sleep would come
Morning was here and now
I reluctantly welcomed the day
And wondered how it would feel

I neither faced the day, or ran away
I merely put one foot in front of the other
But, at 5:20 a.m. I was breathing and awake
Even though it was much earlier than desired

I decided to look on the bright side
I lived through another night
The battle of the day had begun
And I had already won the fight.

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A poem by Jason S. Sullivan, 07-06-20