Of Life and Dreams

And the fleeting nature of life.

The Dreams of the Dreamer
by Georgia Douglas Johnson

The dreams of the dreamer
	Are life-drops that pass
The break in the heart
To the souFs hour-glass.

The songs of the singer
	Are tones that repeat
The cry of the heart
'Till it ceases to beat.

The Georgia Douglas Johnson poem "The Dreams of the Dreamer" beautifully captures the impermanence of our lives. It is a profound reflection that touches on our hopes and hearts, reminding us of the beauty in our inevitable endings. As October nears, I am keenly aware of my birthday on the 23rd. I will be 82 years old and know there is more behind me than ahead, but the beauty of this journey inspires me.

The hourglass is a perfect symbol of what happens in life. The sand in the upper glass sifts downward; it is an image of times passing, where it falls downward into the lower part of the hourglass. The idea pertains to life's shortness and the swift movement of time. Like drops of water, our dreams are finite and will not last.

Dreams fade as time passes, leaving empty souls. My soul is not empty. Yes, my wife passed away, but I have fantastic daughters, a terrific grandson, and a satisfying career in mental health, from which I am now retired. But dreams are fragile and temporary. They are fragile because many are never achieved.

The poem shifts from dreams to songs. The singer's songs echo the heart's cry. These are the voices of the heart, singing its pain, joy, and longing. We are singing our heart's desire, almost as if uncontrollably. The heart's message cannot be contained in a breath or a song.

The poet points out that the heart will eventually stop beating. It speaks to how quickly dreams disappear, like individual drops of water. Eventually, the heart's songs cease as life ends. The briefness of life is linked to the importance of dreaming and singing, which makes us feel alive. A time will come without dreams, songs, or a heartbeat.

However, the poem shows beauty that is part of this cycle. It represents the meaningful part of life. Despite life's shortness, the ability to dream and sing makes the experience of living remarkable. The dreamer's dreams and the singer's songs are not just a means of expressing emotions but the essence of self.

Though fleeting, our dreams and songs carry great depth because they come from within us. The poem serves as a poignant reminder that our dreams and songs are fleeting moments and are the essence of our lives. They define and carry us until our hearts stop, inviting us to reflect on their profound significance.