Somnus      

Derry Carr

Studies show seven hours is sufficient.
Less is admirable - a true inspiration of fortitude!
More is a cause for worry,
a cry of poor character is roused.

This society built on productivity,
curates a state of being in constant motion.
The greatest act of self-preservation
can therefore be found in stillness.

Tear down society’s strict structures.
Become unreachable.
Pull up the duvet.
Find solace in the horizontal.

So, you see, 
I’m taking it back, my allotted time.
In fact, I’m stealing seven more.
Let me wake to snack, socialise, and slow down,
Before returning to slumber.

For the sun is set,
the snow has fallen.
Outside is a dark, cold, and unforgiving place.
The creatures of this world are retreating.
Give me softness, give me silence.

Thousands of years of evolutionary science, 
is here to question your seven hours.

The Science

This poem seeks to bring attention to the disconnect between the natural world and society’s set-up. The boxes that biologists throughout the ages have placed on living, breathing creatures - often with bias - are now being questioned and reimagined (Bitch by Lucy Cooke). It is now clear that from mental wellbeing (Li, Sahakian, et al., 2022) to physical health (Sleep Foundation, 2022) sleep is essential. Yet society's strict structures remain rigid in their stubbornness. This work presents the struggle for sleep and rest perpetuated by society and shows that this is unsustainable for the people residing in it.

The Poet

Derry Carr (She/Her) is a PhD student at the University of Birmingham investigating the evolution and development of early land plant life with a focus on where the seed comes from. As well as the biochemistry of plants she can be found delving into the environmental consciousness that pervades society more than ever and trying to - through crafts and art - communicate the need for action and change now.

Next poem: Story of the Salmon by Vaishnavi Sridhar