inside the american dream

youth stays
blank sheets of white paper
wincing
anticipating the graffiti
of pen & ink
waiting for the keys to the world

by the time all is understood
(Wasteland, Castle of What)
the light is out
the deferred dream
has exited quietly
out the back door
clutching an idealistic suitcase
& everything it can carry

as we sit deflated
watching the windows
for its return
reading tarot cards
with disappointed mouths

naming the stars one by one
even though

they’re a million miles away
& a million years dead

original image by Jaymz @ Raveshack.com