We are all dreamers
how else could we have lived
in a desolate and lonely world
where life is struggling to breathe
and the heart is bereft and  barren
seeking consolation and relief?

we dream
because it's through dreams
we create a new world
and become what we aspire to be
the dross drops away
the dust vanishes
weeds disappear
to be replaced by
radiant flowers that burst
into the fresh and welcoming air
and what is before us
starts to shine
like the brightest light of day

they are the visionaries
who have the courage to dream
defying all that which destroys
love, charity and beauty
they are the harbingers
of a new era
torch-bearers
to light up the world
the hope-givers
who will set every human heart free

The elderly-they
have dreams too
like the young

but
when they get up
they don't want to recall

not with the young
who want to go back to sleep again
their dreams are real
and they can't let  go--
love so tempting
beauty so alluring
passions so compelling
hopes so promising
(between the dreaming and waking
is a thin line--miracles in the making?)
'Those who dare dream
transmute sand into gold
and what could be stronger than the ardour of youth' ?
they claim

here is where the difference lies:

the dreams of old age are angst-full
burnt-out and decaying fields
that have swallowed once red -blooming roses
and left behind a trail of desolation and tears
( dreams that return but to mock and chastise)

dreams are partial to youth
and resurrect to punish the old

I am just words
how many did I speak yesterday?
today is making demands on me
what should I say

but about the same words
with some variations-- subtract there, add here?
my words appear quicker than I can think
Oh dear, oh dear!

I am not a robot or automaton
I am human--I should not be mechanistic
but words rule my life and are tyrannous
they know too many a cunning trick

I must study my words-bank
delete what has made me a fool
a new vocabulary I should acquire
like a little child starting school.

I walked in
none noticed me
I was having a drink
the pub was noisy

then entered a  pretty young lady
and asked: May I sit next to you?-so gently
what's your name?
mine is Lily

I'll buy you a drink--I said
' I'm from far-country
500 miles away
came to see my boy-friend Henry

but he didn't turn up
the neighbour said he had moved away
he broke my heart
what a sad day!

(suddenly her mobile started to ring)
her face brightened up as she spoke: Yes darling
is that really you ? O Henry, O I love you Henry
then rushed to the door--Sir-thanks for the drink!'

I walked in
none noticed me
I was having a drink
the pub was noisy

then entered a  pretty young lady
and asked: May I sit next to you?-so gently
what's your name?
mine is Lily

I'll buy you a drink--I said
' I'm from far-country
500 miles away
came to see my boy-friend Henry

but he didn't turn up
the neighbour said he had moved away
he broke my heart
what a sad day!

(suddenly her mobile started to ring)
her face brightened as she spoke: Yes darling
is that really you, O Henry, O I love you Henry
then rushed to the door--Sir-thanks for the drink!

Life has two doors
marked 'Entry' and 'Exit'
you pay your rent as tenant
after which the landlord would say--'Quit!'

An old man am I
too old but I hang on
still too young to die

and not wanting to die
means wanting to live--to write-
come and visit me if  you should pass by