Sleep Talk

From our 19th century historian, Eudora Dickinson:

Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) established National Napping Day as the day immediately following the start of Daylight Saving Time.  

"It is obvious that a day of napping is required after the onset of Daylight Saving Time," he said.  "The rise in impatience and the decline of civility demand it."

Dickinson wrote several poems about sleeping and napping, and "Slumber – is not precisely Sleeping" (below on the left) is one of his most famous.  His poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "Wonder – is not precisely Knowing" (below on the right).
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By Emmett Lee Dickinson:
 
Slumber – is not precisely Sleeping
And not precisely Sleeping not –
A beautiful unique condition
He cannot live who has not slept –
 
Deep Sleep – is his maturer Brother –
’Tis truly a Delight to Gain
If insomnia’s unforgiving
Then it’s the Nap that redeems men –
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By Emily Dickinson:
 
Wonder – is not precisely Knowing
And not precisely Knowing not –
A beautiful but bleak condition
He has not lived who has not felt –

Suspense – is his maturer Sister –
Whether Adult Delight is Pain
Or of itself a new misgiving –
This is the Gnat that mangles men –
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Below: The Center for Study of Insomnia and Disturbed Sleep is in the heart of the theater and music district of historic Washerst, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request). Dickinson suffered from insomnia and survived on just hours of sleep per week.