General Poetry posted March 31, 2022


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A poem about where dreams originate

Origins of Dreams

by Jenifer Bellott

"They wonder how dreams come to be,"
sulked the Sandman ruefully.
"How can it be they don't know me?
I'm famous throughout history.

I take what they watch on TV,
and add some of their memories
and even their desires deep
then sprinkle these on while they sleep."

"What you proclaim is mostly true,"
said the angels as they flew,
"but dreams come not from only you;
the bible will provide the proof.

In sleeping ears, we whisper clues--
grant loved ones gone to visit, too.
We issue peace and fortitude
and chase away those nightmares brewed."

"Who do you angels think you are?"
hissed the demons in the dark,
"to dismiss our evil part
in vexing dreams with our black art?

With our cold touch their peace is marred.
We make them relive all their scars.
Fear, guilt, pain--emotional charge--
ensuring restful sleep is barred."

"You demons do not build the dreams,"
the muses mused with no esteem.
"You only alter them it seems;
but we design the realm of sleep

with inspiration to achieve
which of our talents we bequeath
of voice or body, mind or ink.
We make their dreams reality."

The moral of the story is
that dreams have several origins,
and you with this intelligence
can practice dream analysis.



How Do Dreams Come to Be contest entry


I've recently read some contradictory guidelines on poem punctuation. It seems punctuation is up to the poet's discretion as long as the poem makes sense when read. Additionally, I always thought capitalizing each word was standard, but I read it is an outdated and voluntary practice.

Since I normally do not include punctuation in my poems, I would appreciate feedback on the clarity. Is it easy to determine when different characters are speaking? Does the punctuation enhance or detract from the meter? Thank you for your time!

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Pays one point and 2 member cents.


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