What Made You Stop Dreaming? Poem by Eloida Capuno

i saw you as a child
full of hopes
aiming for the stars
felt your hunger
for change
as you spoke of the
life you planned
gave you a thumbs up
a pat of approval
saw myself in you
eager to fly high

i came back and found you
so different than the last
an emaciated figure
bloodshot eyes
breath stinking
a broken man
you gave me a faint
smile of recognition
then strode away in
avoidance

i wanted to know
who took the glow in
your eyes
who stole your
childlike faith
what made you
stop dreaming
but you were gone

i could have told you
i am still dreaming
my dreams of old