Saturday, August 21, 2010

Deferred

Inspired by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

****************************

I lay awake deferred
My dream beside me sleepless
Naked, beckoning me to confirm
Burgeoning hope or foul nightmare
My mind is ancient as the moon
Milky pool against my sheets
Creamy river, sugary sweet
Borders my conscience, quivers, and weeps
Words seize me in the waning moon
Beseeching my fragile heart to swoon
Thoughts winding round my neck as pearls
Syllables etched against my back
Sleep lays upon me as the sun
My dream a puddle beneath me
Melted, defeated, deferred

5 comments:

Kilauea Poetry said...

Hope deferred makes the heart sick is a proverb I recall. Nice lines..sounds like you've had your sleep disturbed (smile) it can get like that though..everything ok?

Maia T said...

Nice words, you are very talented.

Opaque said...

Nicely written!

JStar said...

Sometimes you have to defer a dream that you dont want to dream...But it will come back at a time when you can handle it...This is was beautifully expressed!

septembermom said...

I love Langston Hughes. He would be very impressed with your beautiful offering here. Love it.