The Conceit of Poetry

What is a dream 
if not reality's conceit?
What is reality 
if not a shadowy deceit?

The dream circle was unsealed 
when we were born
and dream-time filled our lives 
from night to early morn.

The circle grew ever wider 
in our youthful days of yore
with unbounded dreams of glory 
on some far distant shore.

But then the circle tightens 
when our days near to a close.
Dreams replace ambitions 
as one's mortal body slows.

So our dreams in poems we'll write
hence when we disappear,
we'll leave our mark in some small way 
to show that we were here.

And in some far off time we hope 
someone will read our verse
and a dream that was a part of us 
will shake the universe.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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A   Avatar
May 6, 2014 at 11:29 AM
Roy,, Congrats on your poem about poetry. always & forever -- Linda
May Avatar
May 3, 2014 at 8:18 AM
Great ending couplet...congrats on your win
Dietrich Avatar
May 3, 2014 at 12:16 AM
the title is really good on this one. I sure do hope to shake some universe one day when I am gone. Would be better if it were right now hahaha. GOOD poem and congrats on your win.
A  Avatar
May 2, 2014 at 11:56 PM
nice win Roy, Have a nice weekend.. LOVE.... ... SKAT
Deschler Avatar
May 2, 2014 at 11:20 PM
I love the idea of our words living on after we are gone. This poem was very nicely rhymed. Well done, Roy! Congrats on your win in my contest!
Peterson Avatar
January 25, 2014 at 12:34 AM
Great elaboration on thoughts that were ill-formed prior to reading this excellent poem. These days, the rhyme gives me reason.
Jerden Avatar
January 25, 2014 at 6:09 AM
Thanks, Mark. I hadn't re-read it myself in quite a while. Did you catch the reference to Plato's Cave in the 2nd line?
K. Avatar
June 12, 2013 at 9:20 AM
This is a different perspective on dreams and very interesting take on it. Also, thank you very much for my placement in your last contest, Roy!
A   Avatar
June 10, 2013 at 9:53 AM
Roy, a nice little winning poem in Michael's dreaming into the bay contest... xox~ LINDA
Dietrich Avatar
June 2, 2013 at 3:02 PM
this was one of my very favorites of the contest. Congrats on your well deserved win.
Delaney Avatar
June 2, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Excellent writing Roy That is why I love these contests. I get to read poems I might have missed. Congratulations on a fine winning poem. SuZ
Dietrich Avatar
May 17, 2013 at 9:40 AM
this is just wonderful. you were greatly inspired by the theme of Michaels and I hope more people will see your fine entry into the contest. Roy.
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