Sleep story · quiet, books
A library at closing time (a sleep story), when your attention is scattered — for the hours after a late shift
The last hour, when the lights go down row by row.
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 carpet has flattened every sound in the building down to nothing. Someone is pushing a trolley two rows away, and you can hear each wheel separately. The clock above the door is the old kind, with a second hand that moves in small jumps.
The reading room you are in has one lamp left on, and it is the one above your table. Your own book is heavy in your hands, and you have stopped reading it. The windows are dark enough now to reflect the room back at you.
Feel the back of your knees soften into the bed. Let your palms open if they were closed.
Let the mattress take all of it. Let your shoulder blades spread out and drop.
A book lies open on the next table, face down, which is technically not allowed. The last of the day's light is going out of the high windows.
Feel your heels sink a little into the mattress. Let your breathing get slower without deciding to slow it.
If you feel emotional, you don't have to explain it to anyone, including yourself. You might be planning something. Notice the planning, then come back.
Now feel your whole body at once, lying here, being held up. Let your tongue sit heavy in your mouth.
Just the breath. Softer.
Nothing needs deciding tonight. Let the breath be the only thing you are doing. You can stop listening properly.
Scattered attention is the raw material, not an obstacle.
I will stop here. The quiet will carry on without the words.
12 paragraphs, roughly 2 minutes read slowly aloud. Written for quiet, books.
If this story does not settle you, try A kitchen late at night, when you feel fine and want to stay that way — for winding down, A lighthouse at the end of a long day — a slow story for the end of the day, if you are doing this in the middle of the day — for a racing mind or A boat at anchor — a slow story for the end of the day, when you are somewhere unfamiliar — for winding down.