Maze Obstacles

In the beginning it was so beautiful

the sun was shining

and the buildings beckoned

everything was green and warm

it was so good to be back

in my original home

the views from the park

and the wide avenue

where nothing was wrong

and wonders abounded

Was it my imagination?

As day slowly turned to night

the city glimmered and gleamed

appealing to all

a lovely land of ideal beauty

with architecture, streets and lights

making me smile with its warmth

Was it a mirage?

Darkness fell, illuminated by bright lamps

and then it changed

slowly at first

but relentless

the colors unable to hide

the strangers and dangers

the homeless in the alleys

the paths of unknowns

in the shadows of the amazements

Was it a nightmare?

Before long the enticements turned to mysteries

with obstacles upon corridors leading astray

stairways and audiences to navigate past

in a quest for what was

in a journey toward desired space and light

the best of past, present and future

an effort to visit the parts so missed

to see them again

Why so many barriers and hurdles?

There were the women and men

with guns and drugs

who wanted to question and detain

who wanted to investigate

who might even eliminate

survival meant dodging and escaping

amidst constant new challenges

against all odds with no guarantees

the puzzle metastasized

everything was harder

Was it possible to reach the destinations? 

but the beauty remained somehow there

in sight and near

just out of reach

without first surmounting

the urban halls and doors

that led to more

but not what was wanted

must keep trying to defeat

the endless maze

the goal still sought

And then I woke up.

© 2020 Marc P. Anderson

(based on a dream)