A Night in the Life of a Zebra

The Struggle for Rest

After a long and exhausting day, I eagerly anticipate lying down to rest. As my body begins to relax, discomfort soon intrudes—tightness radiates from my heel, runs up the back of my leg, and settles in my knee. Each time I shift, my shoulders pop out of place, and my arm aches all the way down to my fingers. Lying on my back brings aching in my lower back and hips, and even makes it difficult to breathe.

Endless Discomfort

The longer I remain in bed, the more my neck aches and a pounding headache develops. I toss and turn, searching for any position that might bring comfort, but find none. My body alternates between burning up with sweat and shivering with cold.

Interrupted Sleep

Eventually, sleep comes—but only in brief intervals. Any movement brings a resurgence of pain and numbness in my legs and arms, jolting me awake. When the alarm rings, it is time to rise and face another day, knowing the struggle will repeat itself.

(unsplash photo)