Poems by Mark Bird

If you have a dream
that won’t go away
that gnaws at your toes
with each waking day.

That sings beneath notes
and swirls between stars.
From lines in great books
it thrashes and gnarls.

From cinema screens
it leaps along light
and twists your insides
and stalks you at night.

Then give it attention.
Tame that wild dream.
It’s there for a reason
yet to be seen.

A beast of the future
only you own.
Don't let it escape
into the unknown.

Train it with care
and boost its esteem.
Spotlight it brightly
so it can be seen.

Or dreams can turn nasty
tire and groan.
Diminishing creatures
if left all alone.

The beast never dies
just shrinks and goes cold.
A lone, solemn dream
growing weary and old.

So feed it with strength
Believe that it’s real
Nurture with love
And trust how it feels

Fight the dream-bruisers
wish-batterers too
and splatterers of hope
who'll be waiting for you.

Feel the roar rumble.
Hear every shout.
It’s your beast of a dream
just dying to get out.

I cry alone
But dance in crowds
I whisper truth
But lie out loud

I hide my hope
But make believe
I dare to dream
But daren’t achieve

I lose my smile
But play at bliss
I take my aim
But often miss

I walk so weak
But fake my force
I proudly speak
But hear remorse

I scream inside
But battle brave
I delve down deep
But I’m not saved

I cry alone
But dance in crowds
I whisper truth
But lie out loud

“Leave this town,”
my mother said
These three words
live in my head

“I love this town,”
my mother told
But you are young
and I am old

“The world is wide,”
my mother taught
These four words
I seized and sought

“Enjoy the world,”
my mother shared
and thanks to her
I did and dared