LesleyScoble.com

I wrote and narrated my poem No One in response to Sadje’s #What do you see #325 Photo Prompt. To write something inspired by the photo below. Image by Becky Sherburn,

No One

The world sleeps
no one awake
was it caused 
by a laboratory mistake?

can it be cured?
no one knows
they’re all asleep
they’re all inured

the snores across the land
and seas
murmur
where is the cure 
for this disease?
can you tell me
please

long low rumbles
of slumbering breaths
rise and fall
in sleep-like deaths
is no one awake?
no one
at all?

How can this be
how come to this?
where is the prince
from Sleeping Beauty
to give the world a kiss?

where is god’s law to do its duty?

lacking faculty
they’re all asleep
with
human hubris
in ignorant bliss
no one
to keep
a caring eye
no one
to say
wake up!
or die

I wonder why 
it’s come to this
no one knows—
especially
I

there is a worldwide hush
except for me
in wakefulness
I fear 
for here I am
in Shepherd’s Bush
alone in ponderance
I am awake—
is this by chance
or am I fake? 



—Lesley Scoble, January 2026

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You may notice I misspelt the word ponderance but it’s deliberate. Shakespeare invented over 1,000 words—so why can’t I‽ 😁

Audio — No One

Recorded at the coast on my iPad, with the sea just beyond the window. (Yay — we’re away from the city for a whole week!) A quiet reading of my poem No One, offered in its raw, simple form. I hope you enjoy it.

THANK YOU
Thank you, Sadje, for the wonderful inspiration you give.
And thank you, dear reader, for spending time with my poem. I truly appreciate it. 🙏

What do you see # 325- 26 Jan, 2026