Lost Dreams by Elizabeth Obadina

Dawn Rainbow - Sheila Craft

Of dreams, I’ve only this to say

 That once I had a lot.

But, like mists at break of day,

They shimmered and were lost.

At breakneck speed through circumstance,

Round ev’ry fence ahead

 I managed, moved on, missed each chance

 To follow dreams instead.

 

Yet what are dreams when all is done

But mangled fears and cares?

Lost nightmares, melted by the sun

Answering hopeless prayers.

 

And dreams, not of the night-time kind,

Are but wishful thinking;

And tow’ring cloud-scapes of the mind

Mask real prospects shrinking.

 

My hopes these days are commonplace

Not really dreams at all

Just to keep good health, by God’s grace,

And miss Life’s nasty squalls.

The canvas that I paint dreams on

Is smaller than before.

And yet, I do still love the dawn

With bright hope still in store.

 

I wake with hope and yet my brain

 Finds scant inspiration

Life’s Garbage In, Garbage Out drains

Meaningful creation.

 

I lie and search that small, still voice

My own Jacob’s Ladder,

But silence reigns, yet I rejoice

Past dreams, sweet to remember.