In Which Sleep Deprivation Alters My States, Or Something

I do shift work, as everybody knows,

Which means I am obliged, times, to fill in

For someone with a boo-boo, runny nose,

Or something much more grave, to our chagrin.

That's how I found myself at work five hours

Before my normal starting time, at One

A.M. with little sleep and with my pow'rs

At near their nadir. I'm sure it's been fun

For friends and colleagues to watch all my flubs,

And cognitive backfires -- I cannot find

The home row on a keyboard; more like clubs

Than fingers are these digits. Where's my mind?

I only managed victory at chess

By taking on a fellow victim, yes.