Deb Radke | + Follow Poet |
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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.)

Copyright © Deb Radke | Year Posted 2018

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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. Login to Reply

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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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.. Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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.