Waking Or Dreaming Poem by Patti Masterman

Slowly, as if from great distance
Or swimming underwater, in murky depths,
I recognize symbols from somewhere even deeper:
A pitcher, a bowl, water for cleansing;
Purity of body, purity of motive.

Scissors to cut hair, a novitiate of denial-
Where do these rites hide in daylight,
Why do I know them so well the first time?

What else lurks in my untrodden mind,
Who put it there, while dreaming or awake?
If in dreams, when will I finally waken?
Or if in waking, of what use then the dreams?