Home » Poems » Deb Radke » I Dream Awake

I Dream Awake

Shredded remnants of foolish desire Binding me long to this earth Fade now To small regrets Of wasted time. Strident bits of childish dreams Holding me strong to this world Fill instead With pure reflections Of grace. And I sleep upon Quiet pools of love Sparkling brilliant blue Against the harsh pull Of arid pain. And I dream awake In visions of exultation Binding me fast to heaven, Borne along By streams in my desert. (12/3/2013 -- I wrote this poem in 2010. It was my first submission to PoetrySoup. It still speaks strongly of my soul.)

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

L. J. Carber

Date: 9/22/2019 10:12:00 AM

This is truly lovely-- I like it even more the 2nd time around. It is the rare poem that can 'pick you up' and carry you as you read it-- kudos! I especially relate to that last stanza, as more and more I feel we all are sharing the same dream, each 'awakening' at his or her appointed moment.

L. J. Carber

Date: 3/24/2019 4:29:00 PM

Wow! This is one of those simply written poems that go off like a hand grenade--the 3rd stanza is remarkable.

Deb Radke
Date: 3/29/2019 7:00:00 PM

Thanks so much for your comments. It is encouragement as this that nourishes a writer’s soul.

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 12/5/2018 10:00:00 AM

There are times when the regrets are difficult, Deb. Acknowledgements of wasted time come as we grow older, perhaps wiser. But I admire the way you sleep upon pools of love, for our bonds to people's spirits becomes stronger as we realize our bonds to Earth will end. This is a beauty, Deb. You have a warm and insightful soul. Hugs, Carolyn

Deb Radke
Date: 12/20/2018 8:31:00 AM

Thanks so much, Carolyn. I appreciate your comments more than you can know. This is a very personal poem for me written as my dear sister-in-law was dying of ALS. I saw through her eyes how acceptance of death leads to an introspective look at life. How all we thought was important faded to insignificance.

Harry Horsman

Date: 12/4/2018 3:58:00 PM

Such a sensitive poem, love this..

Deb Radke
Date: 12/5/2018 9:04:00 AM

Thanks, Harry. I appreciate you leaving such a positive comment.

Lawrence Sharp

Date: 12/4/2018 10:02:00 AM

Deep and personal, and delivered with a restraint that forces the reader to do some digging. As true poetry should be, very nice write.

Deb Radke
Date: 12/5/2018 9:02:00 AM

Thank you so much for the kind words of support. I’m glad this poem resonated with you.

Nette Onclaud

Date: 12/3/2018 9:39:00 PM

this is a precious telling of how we need to celebrate time... elegantly handled, deb.. huggs

Deb Radke
Date: 12/5/2018 9:00:00 AM

Thank you, Nette. You’ve given me a great compliment. It’s amazing how things which once were so important become rather trivial when viewed with “older” eyes.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 12/3/2018 7:30:00 PM

Very deep indeed! Awesome articulation:To small regrets Of wasted time...and ..Strident bits of childish dreams Holding me strong to this world. The ending line is especially well done..great write, Deb.

Deb Radke
Date: 12/5/2018 8:58:00 AM

Thank you, Vijay. I appreciate your words and expression of support. This poem was a reflection of how we change as we grow older—very personal to me.