following shadows

a dark dream last night,
i was lost in the city
little girl, dress of white
so preciously pretty.
all the lights would illuminate
was the rain that cried
on streets of man's hate
where the innocent had died.
i flew where my feet would carry me
up fire escapes, even underground
hiding from thieves behind hanging sheets
mixing with gypsies in the circus i found
finally the rain stopped
as i climbed cautiously up stairs
of a building of windows topped
with a smiling bear
ladies in white asked me my name
for the life of me, i could not recall
they tried to ask me from whence i came
i couldn't remember anything at all
they took my silence as some kind of condition
and all rushed away, a herd of worry
something inside me felt the ambition
to find my own way, in a terrible hurry
so back down the stairs
in my shoes soaking wet
ribbons falling from my hair
but i'm not frightened yet
through the streets i'm now running
as the sun slowly appears
wrapped in hugs upon my homecoming
showered with thankful kisses and tears.