I’ve laid here for hours counting the sheep,
Why oh why can’t I get to sleep?
I’ve tried so hard my head’s started reeling.
So now I just lay and stare at the ceiling.

Down stairs I can hear the puppy whining.
I’ll bring him up, it’ll stop him pining.
He gratefully washes my neck and ears,
now I’ve removed all of his fears.

Back to bed and under the cover,
cuddling my pillow like a long lost lover.
The puppy stumbles over me,
and eventually settles behind my knee.

“Now come on boy and don’t you keep
me from my long deserving sleep.”
Here comes the cat, that’s all I need!
Coming to bed after his feed.

Up jumps Ginger and tries to find
a cosy place to unwind.
He gives the pup a hiss in the face
when he sees he’s claimed the best place.

He paddles around searching to find,
another good place like the occupied kind.
“Now, now Ginger, settle down,
I don’t want you wandering round.”

No joy. Now Ginger’s decided to move.
Too crowded on top, he doesn’t approve.
Up he struts towards the pillows,
purring away like a pair of bellows.

Nosing his way under the sheet,
and down he crawls towards my feet.
At last, as Ginger goes to sleep,
I close my eyes and think of sheep.

Oh no! Here’s the kitten. This can’t be true.
Oh Lord. What have I got to do?
Her ears are pricked, her eyes are wide,
“It’s playtime boys, you cannot hide.”

Here she bounds, all claws and fluff.
I throw back the duvet, “enough is enough!"
“I don’t want to take part in World War Three,
the lot of you go, clear off, let me be.”

All I want is to get some sleep,
so I’ll just go back to counting sheep.
And try again a little more
One, two, three, four…