On Not Being Seen As A Dreamer Poem by Maya Hanson

Sometimes I'm drowning in the straight lines behind me.
I've walked them and I wouldn't change it
but if I could pull them like rubber bands,
crooked here and there
I would.

We sit on the edge of our seat
for her story,
the struggles
the uncertainty
the life of a dream chaser is somehow
more glory than mine.

I am a quiet dreamer
just because I don't have to
sing my art in the strongest voice
doesn't mean the dream chasers
with the uncertain, shaking steps of a tightrope walker
should be more of an idol.

These colors stream down my hands
but I don't have to
splash them like a mural
on every corner,
I'd much rather know I can love them alone whenever I want
than give them to you
or hang them like a trophy from the sky.

These words run in my veins
just as much as all the dreamers
but you don't have to see them
The science I wield is as much my magic
as the shattered hearts following those splintered train tracks,
and just because
mine are intact and not beautifully broken
doesn't mean they're less to look at.

Sometimes I'm drowning in the straight lines behind me,
they don't tell a tale
that will bring you to tears
but I can still float along them with my eyes closed.

I can be
practical
I can build skyscrapers
out of sparks of tradition
while they run with all the glory
but I always dream a shock splash of sunrise
just like them.