Happily-Ever-After Eternally

Happily-Ever-After Eternally Dreams…ah, there are so many. Which shall I share? The impossible dream— Which shall I choose? The attainable dream— Where does dreaming take me? Do I even have a dream? Am I too old to dream? (Probably not...) Will I drop in deep despair? Dreaming unrealistic dreams. Would I dream to be young? A shadow of myself… A woman: Planning. Hoping. Working. Living. Sharing. Wisely making perfect choices. Avoiding unexpected dangers. Making and attaining goals; Refraining from distractions. Remaining firmly focused. A young woman dreaming She being and achieving dreams, A forever-perfect woman. Will I drop in deep despair? Tormented, pulling out my hair. Hopes dead. Progress slowed. Great dreams sold out to: Flourishing discouragement. Poor study habits…and poverty. I had a dream, once…long ago. And then, I had a better dream. I dreamed of being a good mother. I would cherish my children. And show: Loving guidance. They would not be afraid. Because they would be free To be: true to self and dreams. Choices would be guided…not forced. They would be loved…respected. They would love and respect me. Together, we would love life. Showing tolerance, understanding Making choices with wisdom. And forgiving mistakes always. I had a dream, once…long ago. Then, I had a better dream…a family dream. And that dream became my reality. (My children have grown. My dream is a dream fulfilled. If I now had only one possible wish, I would wish for Happily-ever-after lives For my children, their families, and ours.) NOTE: Being a Mother was a dream for me. I was almost 34 years old when my eldest daughter was born. © Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen February 21, 2010 Poetic form: Free Verse