Sleep story · water, slow
A boat at anchor, when you have been meaning to start — for waking too early
A small harbour, a rope that creaks, and a boat that moves about a metre in the night.
Lights off. Press begin and let the story read itself to you, at the pace of sleep.
Screen on or off — we suggest dimming it, or simply closing your eyes after the first paragraph.
The story, in full
The cabin is low, and you have to bend your head to get into the bunk. The boat is anchored in eight metres of water, and the chain makes a sound as it moves. Everything in the cabin is stowed, so nothing rattles.
The water slaps against the side in twos and threes. The blanket smells faintly of salt and diesel. The hull moves against the water in a slow, regular way.
Let your tongue sit heavy in your mouth. Let your ribs stop working so hard.
Your fingers can stop doing anything at all. Let your upper arms fall wherever gravity puts them.
There is a torch hanging by the hatch, and a chart folded on the table. The rope to the anchor creaks as the boat turns very slightly.
Let your thumbs rest where they landed. Your chest can be still now.
Let the mattress take all of it. Let your hands be completely still.
The harbour is behind you, with three lights still on and the rest dark. Nothing out here is in a rush, and neither are you.
Notice if you're waiting for something to happen. Nothing is scheduled. If your body wants to move, let it move, then come back.
Feel your cheeks let go. Feel your wrists loosen.
Let them. Leave it there.
Let the thoughts come and go without you getting up to answer. The words can start to blur now. Just the dark.
You have been meaning to start. This is the least intimidating way in.
The room is dark, the day is finished, and nothing is required of you.
14 paragraphs, roughly 2 minutes read slowly aloud. Written for water, slow.
If this story does not settle you, try A library at closing time — a slow story for the end of the day, when you need something unremarkable — for a night when you do not want to think, The night train, after a difficult conversation — for a night when you do not want to think or A bus at night (a sleep story), when you are short on time — for a racing mind.