As I lay down, I feel the cold breath of despair wash heavily over me. Sleep invites me towards it–a welcome escape from the noisy crowd in my head and the heavy weight pressing down on my chest and stomach. My body involuntarily curls up, taking on the characteristics of an unborn child, totally dependent on someone else to provide its every need. But I can feel my umbilical cord twisting and tangling. Life itself is draining from me. Perhaps I am already asleep and this is a dream. I desperately try to wake up, but the more I try the more I realise this is my reality. Now I must sleep to escape its cold, hard stare. My soul–shrivelling, dry, lifeless. My essence–vanishing. Disappearing inside myself. All that remains is a broken shell. Read more... ...