Resurrecting A Dream

Resurrecting A Dream

Eighty-four, knees weak, arms sore
Sat in a chair, staring
Wondering when it began
When exactly had he stopped caring?

His brow creased, mind recalled
A love for singing sweetly
Bringing dancing feet to meet the beat
A dream that somehow ceased to be

His voice once pure and sharp
Tickled the ears of the congregation
Pickled by his determination
His father disapproved his art

Jaded, soul stifled, feathers ruffled
His dream faded, lost in the shuffle
Attention to his studies hardened
Gardened condescension for his father

Time climbed, years disappeared
Argued the law in front of a judge
Saw money roll in, prosecuted crime
Inside him grew a tiny grudge

Held against those who had decided
Confided in him, their dreams
And chose to follow their desire
As he was supposed to have done

Regret saddened, belly fattened
Hair receded in the mirror
A reflection maddened his stare
How had life gotten so unfair?

Money, family, should be happy
Could have traveled another path
Pulled his wife aside, said, “honey”
“I think this marriage has unraveled at last.”

Heart broken, words unspoken
Spent life alone, uninspired
Tired of the law, soon fired
Moved on from the place he called home

Now he sat, spent days reading
Felt old, out of touch, in a haze
Awoke one morning, told himself
“I’m much to young to be in mourning”

Crept along the sidewalk, cane in hand
Stood on the corner of the street
Belted a song, clapped the beat
People swept by, tossed bills at his feet

Day after day, hour after hour
His voice danced along the breeze
No longer sour at his life choice
He took a chance, followed a dream

Joyful faces, smiles galore
People often wondered his story
Took many ways, many miles
For him to arrive at this place of glory

A local legend, they deemed
Famous for his vocal styling
An old man so gracious and beguiling
Never too old to realize a dream

Story ID:	1625
Written by:	Lyndsey Darcangelo (bio, link, contact, other stories)
Story type:	Poem
Writers Conference:	$100 Best Inspirational Post Contest
Location:	Buffalo USA
Year:	2007