Title: iNSOMNiA

Author: Geoff Cochrane

In: Sport 16: Autumn 1996

Publication details: Fergus Barrowman, March 1996, Wellington

Part of: Sport

Keywords: Verse Literature

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Sport 16: Autumn 1996

iNSOMNiA

page 19

iNSOMNiA

My doctor has explained
that for years Churchill couldn’t
or wouldn’t sleep at all
except in startling bursts
of a few seconds duration.

In order to take them
just as directed,
I must first physically count
all hundred and ninety-six pills.

Then the fridge packs up
with a shuddery anal wheeze,
kwee-chit-shit.

Once I was stung on the lip
by a radioactive bee,
once when shifting a wardrobe
I swallowed a wasp,
and once a strange girl
tried to bite my tongue off
when I kissed her.

I think of Tycho de Brahe,
fastidious Danish atronomer,
who wore a golden mask
and fumed through it.