About the Poem

“In My Dream” is a beautiful dreamscape poem, deeply symbolic and inspirational, that explores the emotional journey of a person wrestling with despair, regret, and self-worth. Set in a dreamlike landscape where a dried-up river mirrors the speaker’s inner desolation, the poem weaves together themes of inner conflict, renewal, and spiritual awakening. Through vivid metaphors and surreal imagery, it reveals how personal transformation is possible—even in the face of failure and hopelessness.

In My Dream

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On the bank of a dried-up river,
I came to soothe a burning fever.
Along the path, I prayed to God—
Help me, help me… I am not a clod.

I wept for bandages never amassed,
For virtues slain in seasons past.
What can undo the harm I knew?
The guilt still lingers—ever due.

Nowhere, it seemed, did safety lie;
I stood in peril—hope ran dry.
To whomever holds my tethered soul,
I prayed, Please, make my spirit whole.

In grief, I begged for brief relief—
But silence answered disbelief.
I cried, and cried, with sorrow deep,
Then slept beneath a tree’s dry sleep.

A breeze then brushed my fevered face,
I set a snare with silent grace
To trap the next dark thought I bore—
But heard a gentle voice implore: “Sorry.”

“Who’s there?” I asked, my voice unclear,
But silence wrapped the world in fear.
I gazed into the lifeless bay—
Only the dust and dusk held sway.

Long after, came a sign of war:
A blackened shadow near and far.
Yet from the side, moonlight descended,
Its beams with silver calm extended.

Startled, I stood—the river cracked,
Its dusty path split and pulled back.
From it, a throne began to rise,
Bathed in moonlight, just and wise.

I wondered, trembling, what this meant—
As twilight crowned the firmament.
The throne then spoke, and time stood still,
Its voice both quiet, deep, and chill:

“You’ve turned to hay for devil’s kine,
Their restless hunger fed on thine.
You wore a sack of scattered dreams,
Of wasted merit, broken schemes.”

“You hope for gold with eyes still closed—
But dawn approaches—be disposed.
By toil alone dreams turn to gold,
Work bravely now, rise strong and bold.”

“You want me? Look at those who strive—
They work, they burn, yet stay alive.
They push through pain and wait with grace,
And keep their honor in the race.”

“If dreams let sleep, and pain lets weep,
Then truth will sow what none shall reap.
Bear witness, God, if they but try—
They’ll reach me, though the odds run high.”

“I lie a thousand feet below,
Yet still I speak in silent glow.
You’re on the edge—now dig, now chase,
Awaken strength, and find your place.”

“Who are you?” I roared in fear,
“What right have you to speak so clear?
Let me mourn, and leave me be—
I’m no success, not meant to be.”

“I’ll die,” I cried, “I swear it true—
There’s nothing left for me to do.
My pain has drowned the mind I knew,
Now I am filth, a soulless flue.”

“Wait,” the throne said, calm but stern,
“Must you in sorrow always burn?
You think the dark won’t turn to light?
Then what of dawn that ends the night?”

“Never give up—don’t break the cup
That holds your soul when life breaks up.
Grow green again on deadwood’s tree,
Let light restore your dignity.”

Still beneath that withered tree,
I stirred from sleep—fevered, weak, and free.
The heat within me reached its peak;
I’d never felt myself so bleak.

The tree cried out for water’s grace—
To wear once more its leafy face.
The river bowed in quiet grief,
Its silence echoing disbelief.

I searched for water, found it not,
No stream, no spring, no well, no pot.
Exhausted, hopeless, I sat low,
And let my silent sorrow flow.

I touched the trunk with shaking hands,
And cried from depths like desert sands.
But as my tears fell to the ground,
A single leaf uncurled, unbound.

The view transformed in just one breath—
Life bloomed again from roots of death.
The river stirred, its waters shone—
The tree stood proud, the drought was gone.

And then I knew what hearts must do—
To dream with purpose, pure and true.
From deepest hurt, from sleepless fight,
The world itself may turn to light.

Then, suddenly, I felt a shove—
The crown was lost, the skies above
Spun round and threw me from my sleep—
I woke with tears I’d cried too deep.

My pillow wet with sorrow’s trace—
But morning touched my fevered face.

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Explanation & Analysis of “In My Dream”

Theme Overview:
At its core, the poem is about redemption, self-discovery, and resilience. It speaks to those moments in life when we feel spiritually bankrupt or directionless. The dried-up river symbolizes emotional exhaustion, while the rising throne represents wisdom, purpose, and divine calling.

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Stanza-by-Stanza Breakdown:

1. Despair and Helplessness
The speaker arrives at a dried river, battling inner turmoil. Their cries to God reflect a yearning for healing and understanding. The band-aid and slain virtues represent regrets and unhealed wounds.

2. Spiritual Isolation
As the speaker sleeps under a lifeless tree, a voice (symbolic of conscience or divine insight) whispers to them. This marks the transition from external cries to internal reflection.

3. Vision of the Throne
A mysterious throne emerges, accompanied by celestial light. This is a symbolic moment of spiritual confrontation—where truth challenges the speaker’s self-defeating beliefs.

4. Dialogue of Awakening
The throne speaks as a wise guide, revealing that the speaker has wasted potential. It emphasizes hard work, patience, and belief as the path to inner treasure—”the dream gold.”

5. Rebellion and Collapse
The speaker resists, overwhelmed by self-loathing. Yet the throne’s reminder about the cycle of day and night reaffirms the poem’s message: darkness is temporary.

6. Turning Point
As the speaker touches the old tree in grief, their tears spark rebirth. The fresh leaf growing from sorrow is a powerful metaphor for how true emotion, honestly expressed, can create transformation.

7. Final Revelation
The once-dried river flows again; the speaker awakens with renewed clarity. The dream—or perhaps a spiritual vision—has given them a glimpse of how personal effort, when aligned with heartfelt desire, can restore life and meaning.

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Key Symbols & Their Meaning:

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Message of the Poem

The poem encourages readers to:

• Face inner shadows without surrendering to them.

• Recognize the value of hard work and consistent effort.

• Understand that regret can be a teacher, not just a burden.

• Accept that healing is possible, even from the deepest wounds.

It ultimately says: Your past doesn’t define you—what you choose to do next does.