Fly Poem by Richard Betts

Years ago, when I was young,
I often dreamed I possessed the power to fly.
At night, I would shed the weight of my fears
And slip into the wonderful sky.

As I grew older, I discovered my ability to dream
Had been secretly stolen or snipped.
Like a bird denied his right to soar,
Time had found me and my wings were clipped.

Life succeeded in sneaking up on me,
And, over time, my heart succumbed to the pounding.
The lightness of the sky withdrew from me
And the evenings became heavy and grounded.

Still, I smile when I recall my dreams
And marvel at the magic of my childhood nights.
For now my sleep is grueling,
And my soul is too heavy to take flight.

I remember when I used to fly and soar,
My greatest fear was that I might fall.
Today, I have no such trepidation,
Because now I never dream at all.