Are You a Dream?

Why are you beset with gloom?
With your bitter twisted lies,
I look at you, and sigh.
Why?
That’s all we shall know for truth.

If suddenly,
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
In the sunshine or rain,
I am the master of my fate.

If I look,
But make allowance for their doubting too.
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools.
I hate you deeply, and hating you,
You can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken.

The caged bird sings with fearful thrill.
While I weep-while I weep.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams.
All that we see or seem,
Because I love you, Love, in fire and blood.

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.
Of all things unknown,
Who owns?
Take me home where I am alone.
I drown in myself.

Destiny is one with honor.
You are not wrong, who deem,
Is all that we see or seem,
But a dream within a dream,
That kept so many warm?