Thinking about Thinking

How did people think
Before words were drafted?
Where did they get ideas
Before light bulbs were crafted?

Could there have been dreams
If man never knew sleep?
Could we treasure anything
Without mines in the deep?

How might they make wishes
On a candleless cake?
Or on one for their birthday
Belatedly baked?

How was north compassed
Before magnetized metals?
Or were East & West alone;
Etched by solar travels?

Was there no one photogenic
Before cameras and flashes?
Did travelers never pass
Before the invention of dashes?