broken dreams

"No," you say, "Take them" 
I freeze
why could they possibly
be for me

i don't want your
broken dreams;
give me life,
vitality,

they weigh heavy
on my shoulders
like
a banged-up suit of armor
i must never take off

just let me breathe,
these aren't even mine
they are too heavy
too big
too broken
i'm so scared to
see myself in their reflection

then, one, day,
the stories.
after all, 
they were just like me once.
it turns out, 
their dreams aren't broken.
No, it was me
who couldn't see,
i had a
broken understanding
of the world.

i keep your dreams with me
always
i'll wear them
every day

for all you ever wanted
was for me
to be able to follow mine