Ambitious Dreams

My dreams died this year
finally came to nothing.
You may think it odd, knowing me,
but I was once ambitious,
yes, very ambitious.

I saw myself a shining star,
better than all the rest
(I have always had a touch of arrogance)
a place in history mine for the taking.
No one would ever forget my name...

Perhaps it was only immaturity
but I still think I could have made it
could have had great power and glory.
But more, I could have helped others
and been loved for that.

Yet those dreams have died,
quietly, very quietly,
I have lost the drive to achieve,
and my enemies now could destroy me.

I cannot damage my cause
by being destroyed by opponents--
and more truthfully,
if I am destroyed in reputation,
I do not think I could survive it.
I am near to death as it is.