The Gate of Dreams by M. Burkinshaw (Mabel Forrest)

Here I stand at the Gate of Dreams,
   With its stern black bars and its stubborn key,
While through the hinges' chink there gleams
   The golden light that is beckoning me.

All around is the lowering night,
   And my way is crossed by these iron bars,
And overhead is the line of light
   Of the Milky Way with its million stars.

The beaten paths are all left behind
   Where we have gained and have lost so much;
And only the Gate of Dreams I find,
   Which opens not to my eager touch.

Then pity me! as a soul who stands
   Shut out from sleep's tend'rest witchery,
Longing to see those slim young hands
   Open the Gate of Dreams to me!  

First published in The Queenslander, 19 February 1898

Author reference sites: Austlit, Australian Dictionary of Biography

See also.