Wide Awake In A Dream Poem by Maria Shaw

'Wide awake in a dream'

So now you listen
as screams become whispers
now you hear
as your brothers and sisters
fight for existence.

For while you were sleeping
nightmares awakened
and visions of the past
tormented you at last.

You closed your eyes for too long
and now you see what's always been
whilst you slept in ignorant bliss
another stole your lovers kiss
he took her last breath as he tightened his grip
and only then you knew
that your nightmare had began
there's no turning back
you're under attack.

So now you feel
now you know
the pain of heartache and sorrow
what will become of tomorrow
when your shoes are no longer your own
as you close the door to your life, your home,
when reality is the nightmare
you once chose to ignore
when there's nowhere to run to
no where at all.

Dreams turn to dust
gathering rust
foundations fall as sand
as you walk in the footsteps of others
buried beneath the ground.

Now you know fear you can smell it
as smoke turns the day into night
and now you hear the screaming
for this is now your life.

Surely you knew it would happen
for you can't escape the truth
It's time to wake up to take command
to say no more
to make a stand.

If only we faced reality
our dreams could be so sweet
and whispers would not torment
to keep us from our sleep.