Can the world close its eyes?

“Good night people of the world. Sometimes I think a deep sleep for all of humanity might help, especially if we woke to mild weather and sunshine and (peace).” —Anna Quon

These words were posted on Facebook by my friend Anna Quon, poet, novelist, painter, and animator. Anna lives in Kjipuktuk, Halifax. Her third novel from Invisible Press is Where the Silver River Never Ends.

William Shakespeare in Macbeth wrote about sleep that it “soothes away all our worries. Sleep that puts each day to rest. Sleep that relieves the weary laborer and heals hurt minds.”

Now pretend to fly all around our planet with magical wings that flutter/beat/sweep over those below and close their eyes into a deep, restful sleep.

Who do you see?

• Rescue workers of those in floods, drought, or in the midst of utter destruction in Florida and around the world.
• Families at all the world’s borders seeking safety from poverty and violence.
• The heads of state and big corporations.
• Those in sturdy houses and those in tent cities.
• Who would you add to this list for deep sleep?
• Which of your friends and family members?

PROMPT: Now write a paragraph or two about your hopes for what might happen if every citizen on Earth got a good night’s sleep.