The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/Dreams (2)

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

For works with similar titles, see Dreams.

WHAT dreams we have and how they fly
Like rosy clouds across the sky;
           Of wealth, of fame, of sure success,
           Of love that comes to cheer and bless;
And how they wither, how they fade,
The waning wealth, the jilting jade --
           The fame that for a moment gleams,
           Then flies forever, --dreams, ah --dreams!

O burning doubt and long regret
O tears with which our eyes are wet,
           Heart-throbs, heart-aches, the glut of pain,
           The somber cloud, the bitter rain,
You were not of those dreams -- ah! well,
Your full fruition who can tell?
           Wealth, fame, and love, ah! love that beams
           Upon our souls, all dreams -- ah! dreams.