The Passing Dream
By Joseph Conley

When life is but a passing dream,
And dreams the time awake,
And life is like a subtle stream,
Each moment there to take–
How long I walk that winding road,
The paths each take a turn;
The soothing waters heal and mend
A world left there to burn.

Show me a dream of hope and light,
Not nightmares full of sorrow.
The world may yet begin anew,
The hope lay in tomorrow.
Now, watch the dove in airy dance;
Her wings take full of flight.
Away from nightmares full of fear,
Away from darkest night

The sun may yet shine on her face,
And bring a brand new day.
To light the path that shows the road
To that sweet, perfect way.
So bring that day, that hallowed morn’
Of which my siren spake:
When life is but a passing dream,
And dreams the time awake.