Gonzalo's dream

Gonzalo’s dream

There in a shop doorway he lies

Awake and begs of passers by

Some drop a coin but most deny

Each carries on their separate ways

As for myself, I must confess

I rarely if ever leave a coin

But rather with his thoughts I join

(Though what they are I only guess)

I put myself in his place there

And ponder how I came to be

A victim some may think of me

A consequence of life not fair?

But what’s inside is mine alone

Dropped coins I gladly will accept

I tolerate the cold and wet

And shelter of which I have none

Refusing to run the race of life

I gave up all material things

I was a puppet, but cut the strings

Lost my job, my house, my wife

And now the fortune I redeem

Is freedom from society’s woe

And when I sleep  each night I know

The beauty of Gonzalo’s dream