As If A Dream Poem by jim hogg

what kind of truth I ask again
as if a dream would know itself
or if I'm being dreamed or not
or tolerate this wondering
or know about the world beyond
or bridge between, or bonds that break
to whom the sinking boat belongs
or solitary tree betrayed
or slip, beyond redemption's reach

but penance has its upsides too
the costs that spiral on but teach
some masochistic empathy
from which may sprout a purer strain

I'm looking for a better view
for every man? I don't presume
with smarter minds all boggled by
the sugar cube of human life

I've seen the struggling of the poor
and been the best intentions too
with better heroes, bigger dreams
all broken up on bitter rocks

between the meek and wild there's room
for standing tall and reaching out
but, how to keep ourselves above
the urge to bend the weak and sweet
to purposes which are not theirs
though some will flourish in their chains
before they've earned their rifled earth