“I Buried All My Dreams Today” (poem)

I buried all my dreams today
And bade farewell to each:

The dream of adventure,
That I could find a world beyond what is known
A vibrant life of transformation, novelty and glory–
I forgot the dream,
And in its place,
I’ve donned those torn old jeans I’ve worn
And walked the same old ways.
~
The dream of notoriety,
That all who looked on me might beam
And think of me the grandest thoughts–
I disowned the dream,
And in its place,
I’ve walked amongst the crowd unknown,
Encompassed by perfunctory frowns.
~
The dream of friendship,
That my circle of bonds should ever expand
Sturdy as steel and fruitful as rain–
I lost the dream,
And in its place,
I’ve parted from friends amid many ordeals
And watched their faces fade from thought.
~
The dream of love,
That one should hold to me, heart keenly tuned to mine
Whose blissful, perfect beauty I deserve–
I cast off the dream,
And in its place,
I’ve wakened from the fantasies
And aptly set romance aside.
~
The dream of sympathy,
That one like me could bare his heart
And hear sweet words of patience in return–
I killed the dream,
And in its place,
I’ve sought compassion for myself
And held my peace on soulful things.
~
The dream of fairness,
That pleasure should outweigh the pain
And redress come to those with faith–
I buried the dream,
And in its place,
I’ve looked to God Above for hope
And surrendered all my petty pleas.