Wearing Thin

breaking, broken
wearing thin
I struggle on
when I could give in
I'm burning the candle
at both ends
burning out long before
each long day ends
sleepless
exhausted
filled with stress
my frustration grows
and I understand less
as each new tear flows
the list is so long
of what needs to be done
but there is no rest
for my racing mind
just a desperate search
for a time that is mine
for a moment to breathe
or sleep, or think, or feel
something besides
crushed under the wheels

Don McGonigal
September 2004