Lost Dreams

Black branches scratching the sky,
But not the irresistible itch, 
Dull and colourless, the only view from this unbarred prison.

Dreams have escaped this window,
colours leached, hope dispersed,
in frosty winter air flying to distant summers.

love is the captive of this debtor's gaol
affectionate weakness punished,
By parole deferred to perpetual refusal.

tormented cells filled with damaged dreamers,
wishing for impossible rewards,
each serving the sentence of delayed fulfilment.

Release is sweet yet also strangely bitter,
black branches are no more,
but colour and hope are absent, along with flown dreams