Edge-of-the-city beat

This is a sample poem from my second book "Chosen vanities"

The dreary, dull, edge-of-the-city beat
Which occupies the weary, sleepless hours
Of early morning, drains away my powers
And so makes me acknowledge my defeat
And as these solemn, distant sounds repeat
They drown the dreams and joys, which should be ours
The hope which all the bitterness devours
The time is unfulfilled and incomplete
Here, lying restless, trying hard to sleep
The ancient fear of sleeplessness awakes
In me that old despondent lack of peace
Enough, it seems, at times, to make me weep
Enough to raise, once more, the hate which shakes
Its fist in futile rage and will not cease

(c) Edward Rhodes (2013)