Happy Account Anniversary Mindcrime  ,
This poem came very well informed, annotated, if you will. I liked having the backstory to frame this poem and know the author intent before beginning to read, and to consider how this piece works to intone intended feelings. Sometimes, it's just the title that frameworks a read to tease a reader. "self-delusions strikes me as
What you having going for you in this poem are statements that readers can relate with and ponderings we've had about the great unknowns of life. I think somewhere hidden in there is the question of choosing the path...as Robert Frost suggests, the one you know, or one you don't take. And, we are left to ruminate about these things as you sum up at the end. Are we trying to make sense and be practical for our future, or do we snag on the few to one thing that keep us in a state of 'if I had another chance'.
I feel this might also be what most readers will take away. And the form of this poem breaks into different directions that go from traditional rhyming to free verse and ultimately statements that stand alone as prose. I wonder if that is the intent, to show how smooth it seems life is to move into these areas of life where we take chances try to dance with it. In the end, the poem speaks from experience, but still in wonderment. It's as if the poem just stops like a person worn down by life.
"We dance with confusion and wonder,
and in the distance, we hear the thunder."
The first two lines are knowable illustrating with thunder something that is coming, but it's far away and it is undeniable. And because of this the poem further prompts, "I look beyond reality and hide behind reason/and wait impatiently for the change of the season."
Here, it gets a bit tricky, beyond reality could be anything from the conspiratorial to dreams and delusion. In concert with the following line and considering the introduction, I'm thinking we are guilty of idling away life. Putting off until tomorrow as with everything will resolve itself, after winter and spring returns. Instead, not pursuing a passion to get out there and do something can make one feel less than whole but hollow of self-experiences. These four lines stand alone and are strong in introduction.
"Chase the sunset watching the light fade.
Seeing shadows start long, then tall,
then disappear to nothing at all."
I can feel the poem winding down, as the narrator seems to feel calmer or worn down. It's irony that we chase things we could never possibly have, at least this demonstrates the approach, as if running after it would be enough to capture the sunset. The shadows are ominous and remind me how cinematographers use them in old westerns as an imposing gunslinger. That's a rare take from my experience, but reminds how ominous and defeating life obstacles can seem, and then return to reside in our dark. And as the poem is unfolding, it feels more like permanence. And I note that the three stanza segues into dreams from the night reference, which blends well on a timeline or two, an entire life or just day to day.
"We crash into the night and we spill over dreams,
The longer we ride the clearer this seems."
Having gone from four, to three to two lines, and then the final one, I catch this as the countdown. This is a great freelance composition in that respect, disregarding form, yet rhyming. Life is both the freedom to do what we want and to want to be love, feeling life beautiful. Perhaps, we're reaching life in totality, as time running out...one might still have choices to make.
And it becomes obvious there is a life experienced now to consider. Dreams are likely nonsense that our brain rummages through the attic's collection of current memories. It's really not considered here with anything more than a slight reference to the sleep gamble of good dream or nightmare. And, it might be linked to how fulfilled one feels. Though, that one (person, experience) from the past might come back unexpectant in REM...it might give the dreamer a new experience of wisdom from something...anywhere from regret to what a wonderful time it was and sometimes still feels after just waking up and reexperiencing that sweet nostalgia, with a new twist or bit of understanding/perspective. But, it could be the type that begs reconsider, second guess fated decision(s) (like sliding doors) that sent the dreamer on a different, and likely, unplanned course.
"Are you living your life for the memories? Or you can't move on because of one?"
There is some finality and telling with the last words, isn't there? From question to statement, I feel that teeter totter drop to the ground. This ending can seem like various things. Having worked in media, commercials are tagged with something thought provoking to convince some action on the part of the listener...or, as we called it, "a call to action." But what I feel is stated here echoes the process of poem to the question, time's up...what will it be? It's a natural, succinct and well-opted summary. It adds some knowing with a mix of irony, as if many will still balk and let life move on. No one can know fully know when life ends, self-bargain over that time remaining, and how long left to decide. But, there is a point where we either give up or finally launch, 'all in'.
A very thought provoking and uniquely crafted poem, working in several poetic layers while delivering a direct message that pries the minds of many who know. And that the inception of the poem might be the writer asking oneself, are we doing this or not? It's likely, when we write something down, the action alone suffices to purge/hold off the thoughts/decisions. But, like many things that need to be routinely drained, it refills and calls again. And with each call, the look at how long we've lived, how long we think we have left, and how much gumption...or a new direction?
Lot to chew here and ponder. I enjoyed considering your poem for feedback.
Sincerely,
Brian
WDC Account Anniversary
and Super Power Reviewer
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"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 
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My review has been submitted for consideration in "
Thinking visually again. This poem does show a great way of depicting a steadfast and functional relationship with the components of Velcro. It goes beyond that, however, to strike me as sentimental and endearing in its wistful framework. 
