Be It Only By Dreams

With the onset of advancing age, so I find,        
A man grows weary of all mundane talk;             
Occupies his every spare, idle thought                 
With that of the slow, reflective kind.            
Regretful of many a squandered hour,               
Turning his back on the squabbling nations,        
Their woeful, self-serving deliberations,          
Dreams wistfully of his own starlit tower.         


Should he hopefully find that blessed stair,       
Wound insides of the ancient, dim lit wall,        
Where tread from unseen feet sometimes fall,       
He could but elevate himself above his cares;      
There, throwing his soul upon the night,           
Lift his gaze upon a tumultuous crowding!           
His thinning pate adorned with a crowning           
From a far-flung, pale, distant light.             


And if he was to fix his mind upon that point;
To that moment forcefully bring to bear,     
With every ounce of fibre when stood there,        
An unremitting will to somehow exploit,            
That, which, the mystics so jealously guarded...     
Then, perhaps, he might too ascend?              
For, in all reality, at the very end,              
All is thrown off...the very body discarded.       


Therefore I will choose my own finality.            
I give my remaining days to old worn steps         
Enclosed in rock, a turret that silhouettes         
Against an endless sky; and if it should be        
That I find such hallowed battlements              
Give aging legs the strength to slowly climb,      
To praise the celestial and sublime,                
When reaching up where my God frequents.           


For though those stars seem out of reach,          
Unattainable by grand, omnipotent design,          
Nevertheless I am thusly to be inclined        
To offer up a prayer and unto him beseech:-        
"Immortal father who created mortal man,           
Ye who sits above all earthly thrones,             
Give unto me old tools and rubbled stones,       
And I shall endeavour to do what I can...         


To rebuild that abandoned, crumbled tower...
For, Lord, be it only by dreams men are 
Truly empowered"!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019



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Date: 8/11/2019 9:29:00 PM
Omg John wow! And wow times 100! You have impressed me beyond words! But please next we talk would you kindly read this to me? In your voice it will be amazing!;) All my affection John! Kisses!
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John Fleming
Date: 10/22/2019 10:29:00 AM
Thank you, Princess...and thanks for the kisses, M'Lady. ;) john
Date: 1/20/2019 3:29:00 PM
This poem took me on a remarkable journey through the corridors of your mind. An exquisite piece my friend! I have missed reading your poetry. I saw this listed on the best new poems list. Blessings for a wonderful new year.xxoo
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Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 3/7/2019 8:03:00 PM
Thank you John. You must see to your health and well being first and formost. Blessings, Connie
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John Fleming
Date: 1/21/2019 2:52:00 PM
Hello, Connie. :) So very lovely to see you again!! I have truly missed all the support and kind, generous comments you have always accorded my writing...no one has ever given me greater encouragement. During the last twelve months or so I have been in a pretty exhausted state; it meant taking an extended hiatus from most things...and that, unfortunately, included poetry. Thank you so very much for both taking the time to visit and comment on this my latest offering...it is and always will be greatly appreciated. Allow me to also wish you a marvelous New Connie...may it be a fruitful and rewarding one. Your grateful friend. :) john
Date: 1/18/2019 1:00:00 PM
Unbelievably good. One of my favourite poems written by anyone in any time. It’s as if a poet G*d flowed through your veins. This is a magnificent piece my friend. We are blessed here to be able to read such fine poetry. Sorry I haven’t visited earlier. I’ve been making films. The one I just directed is doing the festival circuit. It has already garnered over 50 awards. My next film will be both written & directed by me. Thank you for this lovely inspiration I just read. Always, Armand.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/18/2019 2:50:00 PM
Yes, Armand...it is unbelievably good -- unbelievably good to see you again!! I am both pleased and happy for you, Armand, that you are in such an obviously upbeat and buoyant frame of mind...you deserve nothing less than to be happy and content; your work sounds both rewarding and fulfilling. Many thanks as always! Your friend :) john P.s May your God bless you and protect you.
Date: 1/16/2019 8:11:00 PM
Worth a second third and forth read.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/17/2019 6:59:00 AM
Thank you, Richard! I regard your gesture as a very kind compliment:- to revisit a persons poetry and comment yet again. It is very much appreciated! My very warmest regards. :) john
Date: 1/11/2019 8:17:00 PM
Hello John Fleming, as i read this poem you created, I was hoping it would not end. Because i go caught up in it as i read it. It moved me. Have a nice evening my friend.
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Date: 1/10/2019 10:41:00 AM
I just discovered this magnificent poem! A definite fav.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/11/2019 8:54:00 AM
Thank you, Sunlite...and thank you for taking the time to visit in the first place - always appreciated by me! My very best regards. :) john
Date: 1/4/2019 7:00:00 PM
A very interesting and mystical poem indeed, John. Much enjoyed.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/6/2019 12:47:00 PM
Thank you very much, Carole, for both taking the time to visit...and for your kind comments -- it is very much appreciated! My very best regards. :) john
Date: 1/2/2019 1:07:00 PM
You amaze me how well you write in a classical style that shows such wordsmanship! Classy and deep, and a very spiritually enlightened message.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/3/2019 6:40:00 AM
Thank you, Andrea....you know of course just how much I have always valued your kind and generous comments - much appreciated! My very warmest regards. :) john
Date: 1/2/2019 1:05:00 PM
John, had you never seen 50 First Dates, starring Drew Barrymore? It's about that disease I wrote of. It's a most curious condition for brain damage!! In the movie she wakes up to meet her new love and each day is heaven because she spends it new with him, not remembering the previous day!!In some ways that could be good. To waken to FRESH love each day!!
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John Fleming
Date: 1/3/2019 6:34:00 AM
Andrea...always a great pleasure when you make an appearance at my little corner of the Soup; I have been rather exhausted with poetry of late...feeling far more refreshed now though. I have not seen the film you mention ...but I will delve a little deeper into the subject. And as for the film's central plot itself -- what fantastic material for a poem...I will have to think upon it some. :) john
Date: 1/2/2019 1:20:00 AM
Exceptional writing John, a pleasure to read. Happy New Year and thanks for your kind visit.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/3/2019 6:29:00 AM
Thank you, Richard...you have always been most kind and generous in your encouraging comments; please allow me to assure you it is much appreciated by me - much obliged! My very best regards. :) john
Date: 1/1/2019 10:02:00 AM
Excellent John, loved the content... mans dependence on our maker highlighted very vividly. Normally I find ABBA rhyme schemes falter somehow, but this was exceptional. Thanks for gifting us another beauty!
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John Fleming
Date: 1/3/2019 6:58:00 AM
John, you have always accorded me the most encouraging and generous of comments...I am, of course, very appreciative - many thanks!! Your friend. :) john
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