These days sleep comes
to me only through
the aid of three white pills.
Every night
I repeat the magic
words aloud—melatonin,
magnesium, ashwagandha
root and leaf extract
plus magnolia bark
extract that contains
honokiol and magnolol.
Pharmaceutical lullaby.
Charm to conjure
sleep’s sure
pure white oblivion.
I sleep so sound
I don’t remember
any dreams. Except
the recurring one in which
my brother lies dying.