Dreams (poem)

When I was a child I soared without wings

in my dreams.

These days I have nightmares

about missing class

or forgetting to go to work.

But once I was free in my dreams.

The corridor rushed toward me,

and went on forever.

It went on forever

Until I woke up in the real world

where I was shy and awkward.

Where I was clumsy and fell down.

Where pain and tears were part of life.

Over the years I’ve stopped dreaming of flying

and dream of running instead.