Are you the hero
  in your recurring dream

Or the victim
  of a life undone

Are you the ambassador
  for all you esteem

Or a fugitive
  —a soul on the run

Are you a real friend
  beyond trial and strife

Whose allegiance
  now stalwart defends

Are you the true master
  of all your desires

Or the ghost
  —of what sleep can’t befriend

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2016)