When the dream dies, what of the dreamer?
Without dreams, what are we challenged by?
Without challenge, what can we hope for?
Without hope, where is the joy in life?
Without joy, what are we living for?

When your heart breaks, how do you mend it?
Without love, what can we dream about?
Without dreams, what do we care about?
Without caring, where is the joy in life?
Without joy, what are we living for?

When the dream dies, what of the dreamer?
Old dreams lying, shattered and hidden,
Locked away oh so very deep inside
Cherished always, and still believed in.

New dreams rising, hopeful, wondrous,
Giving promise, joy, and meaning,
Deeper, stronger for dreams unfulfilled,
Tightly held, more carefully tended.
Without a dream there is no dreamer.

Life was meant for living recklessly.
Love was meant for giving joyously.
What you give is what comes back to you.
How you live is what life gives to you.
How you love is how you're loved in turn.

Daydreamer
18 Jul 2000

Morning

Nighttime sounds go quickly silent
As their authors sense the dawn.
They pass by like silent phantoms
Coyote, owl, a doe and fawn.

Seeking thickets, trees, or warm den,
Cozy place to pass the day.

One by one the day birds waken
Warbling notes both sweet and clear,
Waking those who lie still dreaming
To the new day dawning here.

While transfixed by nature's glory,
We stand silent, awed, and humble.

There. The morning light is breaking
Through the trees beside the streams,
Piercing down to warm the earth in
Fans of glorious, golden beams.

As we're filled with joy and wonder
At the richness of this world.

Creatures large and small surround us
Life of every type abounds.
Forests, fields, and streams that nurture
Harbor us as well as them.

If we'll only take a moment
To acknowledge we are kin.

Get to know the ways of nature,
See how closely we are bound,
How we miss her many faces,
When closed up inside our towns.

Learn we cannot take one small step
That does not affect her too.

Daydreamer
22 October 1999

No More

I bared my throat to your sweet kiss,
My heart to your embrace.
I gave you all I had to give.
My soul was yours to keep.

And now each morn when I awake
And face the day alone
I sigh because I had you; and
I have you now no more.

What heights we reached love, you and I.
What burning joy we shared.
Each day a new adventure came,
A new discovery.

And now each night as sleep eludes
Because you are not here;
I close my eyes and tears fall free.
I have you now no more.

Yet cruel fate can never take
The time we had away;
And so I smile despite my pain
At memories so sweet.

Your gentle touch upon my hair,
Arms holding me so close,
Your smiling eyes and ready laugh
Are burned deep in my soul.

And though you are no longer here
To laugh and smile with me;
I only have to close my eyes
To see and feel you near.

Daydreamer
21 Jan 2002

Wildflowers

Wild flowers here beside a stream
Causing me to stop and dream,
Memories of yesterday seen,
Visions of tomorrow dreamed.

What do they say of me today?
These memories reflected here?
What have I done to aid, to grow?
What comfort have I given here?

Oh have I smiled and laughed today?
And have I brightened someone's day?
Did I shed a tear with a friend,
Eased their pain just by being there?

Or have I let my tears sadden
and my fears worry those I love?
Have I been too busy to see
The need others may have of me?

Have I faced my fears and conquered,
Or let them drive me deep inside?
Have I spoken up for others
And against injustices fought?

What do we have when all is done
But what we freely give away?
Will those I love remember me
Or the things I have acquired?

Wild flowers here beside a stream
Causing me to stop and dream
Of hills climbed and little victories
Of a life lived in joy and love.

May some measure of all these things
Fill your life today and always.
And may you always stop and see
Wild flowers here beside a stream.

Daydreamer
13 May 2000

Thundershower

I sit in wonder, drenched yet smiling,
Laughter bubbling up inside
After a sudden thunder shower
Caught me walking far outside.

I hear the brook now rushing loudly
As the runoff fills its banks.
Grass beaten down by rain arises,
Stretching up as if in thanks.

While flower buds begin to open,
Warmed by the sunshine peeping through
Rapidly shredding clouds of dull gray
As the sky turns cobalt blue.

And all around me forest denizens
Stir and shake away the rain
From fur and feathers soaked and chilly
Life resuming once again.

As if there hadn't been a shower
To disrupt their daily lives.
Nor any worry for tomorrow,
What the future might devise.

For a brief moment then I envy
Them their lack of conscious thought,
Stoic acceptance of the present,
No regrets or worried thoughts.

Yet when I think of all they're missing
To be free of mankind's ills,
I'll gladly take my share of sorrow
To be gifted with free will.

Endure regrets and fears and doubting
To nurture dreams, and hopes, and love;
And strive with hatred, lust, and envy
To bring peace and joy and love.

Anticipation, joy, and wonder,
Friendship, thankfulness are free.
Imagination, caring, kindness
May these become our legacy.

Daydreamer
25 July 2002