Dream Catcher

The small boy grows innocent and free

He roams without need for property

Life is an adventure with bags packed

Only for that which fits in an old sack

Battles waged and deserts explored

Tropical jungles and nations implored

Indian wars and robbers on the train

Secret agents and sports highest fame

The boy hasn't much, that is understood

Only a day dream in a neighborhood

The parents see the dirt and the grime

Dirty face and fingernails all the time 

What will come of the boy they say

Certain to fall behind along the way

For school brings no joy or amusement

Just a cage with walls of confinement

For some to learn is to physically do

To touch, feel, try and fail until true

No heed given to failure's insecurity

To dream again of a new opportunity

The world is hard on a dreaming soul

To conform would be best he is oft told

His dreams fade under obedience praises

To keep up with Jones' and enter rat races

Responsibility weighs heavy on a mind

Through fights with self to avoid a bind

To dream would be his greatest goal

But requires time and sacrifice to unfold

So to dream will have to wait, wait, wait

For now he must hide the dreamers trait

Until the day that comes sans guarantee

To an inner boy that used to dream freely

With age comes wisdom or so they say

With patience a virtue to guide the way

As time defines age and leaves its mark

Body slowing but the minds still sharp

He sees that which is before him now

And that which has passed somehow

Sacrifice of old now polished bright

The lens of time has brought it to light

The moment of today preciously few

Now has a glimmering appeal anew

The man has come to see his journey

The man he is and the boy in a hurry

That life is better than a dream you see

A small boy grows innocent and free

Nick Campos  July 2024