The Dreamer's Curse Poem by John Yaws

I sit and ponder, all alone-
Of times and friends long past.
I wonder where the years have gone?
Why only memories last?

My youth I squandered, and for what?
A buckle, maybe two-
Some photographs now curled with age,
And memories of you.

Do you remember? Think at times-
Of what we thought we had?
And do I ever cross your mind?
And, are you ever sad?

Vanity… of course it is,
And vain has been my course-
The twisted path of life ill-spent…
Can only bring remorse.

I thought again, 'Take pen in hand-
And scribble one more verse.
To think, to dream, and to regret,
Ah, ‘tis the dreamer's curse.'