Unrequited Dreams

Once more, treading the boulevard of dreams Only the sun's glint on the corroded surface gleams Shangri La's gate no longer in the distance beams Steamy, foggy haze around each mile marker streams Grand plans, lofty designs are buried deep in impermeable seams Over once solid foundation, thinly-veiled paper reams But bleary-eyed traveler not only his final destination deems Sullied road with visions of grandeur, hauteur challenges teems Once strapping lad, gilded the horizon with fairy tail themes As fantasizing teen, the world's bounty covetous eyes did esteem Becoming young adult, with self-patented talents did scheme Now in ripe old age, seeking only striding memories to redeem Looking back, the shiny, smooth road no longer appealing seems From the rough, re-finished surface, golden dreams no longer scream