I dream of dancing on a stage

With the spotlight shining on me

And I smile

Because I am loved.

I dream of signing a book

That everyone loves

And someday

Watching its movie

And hearing people cheer.

I dream of going to college

Of getting my diploma

And waving to my proud family

Who stands in the bleachers.

I dream of passing my English class,

Of not dozing off and getting good grades

But I know it won’t happen.

I dream of making it through the day

Without tears

Without crying for the ones I’ve lost

And the ones that I never knew to miss.

I dream of going home to my wife and my child

Of getting the sand from my eyes

And the ringing sound of bullets from my ears

And sleeping peacefully.

I dream of a life outside of jail

Of people who hurt me

Of people who knew better

And I yell

Because I don’t know what else to do.

I dream of a life with my parents

Where they are no longer apart

Where we can be happy again

Together

we dream of living without fear

Without toil

Without hate.

We dream of being free

Happy and whole.

We are different

In many ways

But we dream

We dream of peace

Of love

Of friendship.

We dream of justice

Truth and faith.

We dream of work

God

Money.

We dream of equality

Of trust and honor

We know it’s there

Even when we can’t see it.

We know it’s this that keeps us going

Keeps us dreaming

So we dream on

The rich,

The poor,

The tired.

Because dreaming makes us equal.

Dreaming makes us free.