Night Shift / Father Ryan Bishop
I lie here alone, undreaming; a captive
Of a thousand little strobing thoughts.
A raking, moonlit glance reveals
The depression
In the bed we share.
Somewhere, a siren wails and lets me know
You’re fine.
So are the countless others
Trading sleep for life and fighting endless wars
With others’ bad decisions.
No comfort comes at wondering why you chose this life.
Your heart,
An ocean that I chose to drown in long ago
Will never give its secrets up.
I know that now.
Fr. Ryan Bishop lives in Edmonton, Alberta, where he tends a small mission flock at St. Olga of Alaska Orthodox Church. Writing poetry has become a welcome distraction from the pressures of everyday life, and an outlet for all of his experiences as a husband, father, dog owner, and priest.
All poetry and supplementary material: copyright 2025 by Father Ryan Bishop. All rights reserved.
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