Dreams and Wishes

Dreams are the paths that we follow in life:
They give us a purpose to plow through our strife.
All seem star-spangled and end in the skies,
But some lead downward and end in demise.
Wishes are hopes gently birthed by a prayer:
They fly up to Heaven and guide our dreams there.
But wishes born twisted lead dreamers astray
And, mangling dreams, lead them down the wrong way.
Memories are dreams that we had in our past
Which kindle our souls so that new dreams will last.
But they can be nursed into scorching-hot flames
And burn tender hopes in blind passion’s name.
Yet nights with no dreams, and days with no wishes
Sap the living of hope and life of its riches.
Dreams, hopes, wishes, and memories right
Give night its stars and make the day bright.