"A blog is to a writer what a canvas is to an artist." ~ Colleen Redman

Dreams Have No Platitudes

Not dreams as lofty goals
but the unruly kind
that we have at night
when no one is looking

The ones with potency
that are brutally honest
that bypass the vanity
of ego and dogma

Dreams that disturb
and urge self-reflection
are magically empowering
but not politically correct

Buried like bodies
waiting to be claimed
they’re odd for a reason
to get our attention

With a maze of meaning
and a poetic license
they cross barriers
and yield to surreal

Immortal, yet fragile
in a shorthand of symbols
they make or break
with no regret
the soul’s destiny
and hero’s gold

__________Colleen Redman / Poets United

15 Responses | Add your Own

  • 1 Magical Mystical Teacher:

    I, for one, am glad that dreams are not politically correct. I learn so much that way.

  • 2 Bjorn Rudberg:

    I am glad that I cannot control my dreams… but I am equally happy that those dreams will not control me either.

  • 3 Sanaa Rizvi:

    Love this especially; “They’re odd for a reason to get our attention and like poems they come when they’re not expected.” 🙂

  • 4 Sherry Blue sky:

    Dreams, like poems, come unbidden. I love that thought. And both are illumination. Lovely, Colleen.

  • 5 Chrissa:

    Love the title and the idea! Surprise and recognition flaring in the unknown or unseen. 🙂

  • 6 Mary:

    Very true! Sometimes one can learn much from one’s dreams. (If one remembers them.) They are truth tellers for sure.

  • 7 H. Hennenburg:

    I keep reading back through trying to pick a favourite part, but I can’t. Your poem is such a beautiful whole and speaks so truthfully of dreams and their power, their versatility and shape-shifting. And our power to listen to them…to draw from them meaning and examine ourselves and our lives. Such a beautiful flow. Thanks for sharing this.

  • 8 Truedessa:

    As a dreamer I believe dreams are like teachers that asks us to examine our lives and desires. There are often subtle messages even in the dreams that disturb our equilibrium.

  • 9 Toni Spencer:

    I like that one cannot control dreams, that like poetry they come unbidden

  • 10 Vivian Zems:

    There is philosophy on this.
    I pity the person who cannot dream dream or have a insight.

  • 11 Ella Wilson:

    I love your poem and how you remind us to fight and find a way to dream~ I, too love the unbidden part-so, true! Such a lovely vision-thank you!

  • 12 Ron.:

    If’n ya cain’t learn nuthin frum the dark, Y’alls gonna remain stooped…

  • 13 Old Egg:

    I don’t dream as much as I used to…and I do miss them but getting old I think the pills the doctor prescribes are probably stealing them!

  • 14 Rosemary Nissen-Wade:

    I love the way the poem progresses, and particularly the conclusion. Yet perhaps I am glad that I seldom recall my dreams.

  • 15 Rommy:

    I recall seeing some things in dreams that would make horror movie writers want to take notes. In spite of that, I welcome those nocturnal interludes, because I have also found things that were quite illuminating.

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