do not turn on the overhead light. boil only a small amount — a single cup, no more — at the lowest setting the kettle will agree to. add the night drops if you have them; otherwise a half-spoon of honey and no tea. carry the cup to a window. drink while the hour does whatever it is doing outside. do not read; do not check the time. the four a.m. is shorter than it pretends.
ingredients
- a small cup, not the usual one
- warm water, just under the boil
- a half-spoon of honey
- one open window, briefly
- permission not to sleep
- no clock, no screen, no count
the cure does not return one to sleep — it removes the obligation. if sleep comes, it will arrive on its own and bring no notice.
see the four a.m., the vigil, the midnight; for daytime drowse, the noon tin.