Monday, October 31, 2011

Perchance to Dream

By Joseph Hesch

It’s so dark here each night, waiting for
the memorable flight to fantasy,
the fears or thrills that you may have,
but I almost never do. I lay in this bed
with my itinerary made of today’s regrets
and tomorrow’s dread,
dreaming of being able to dream.
It’s like groping in the dark for a shadow,
something I can’t see or feel,
but I know is there, if only I …

I will slip into the black depths of sleep,
a struggling shipwrecked sailor going under,
only to open my eyes to another awakened darkness
hours later, taunted by a clock that shows
I missed rescue once again.
But last night, before I sank back
to the nothing that is my slumber,
this vacuum of fancy, I once more pleaded
with the universe for colorful release.

As I was about to surrender once again
to the vacant sleeping dark, an angel appeared
and beckoned me to join her,
tucking beneath her wing of white .
“Here,” she whispered in my ear,
“hold me and be mindful of now,
not yesterday, not tomorrow. Feel my warmth,
and drop your baggage. You won’t need it
where we’re going.”

I never knew my gloom could transform
into a world of such light and color,
such sound and feeling, such heart-lifting joy.
But it did.
When I awoke, I saw dawn in a light so new,
it might as well be approaching from the west.
Tonight, I will leave the dreary day at the door,
I will root fearsome tomorrow from under my bed,
and I will prepare for my angel to join me
in our dream.



31 comments:

  1. *whispers* Those warm dreams are the best, Joe ...long may they continue. :) xo

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  2. Thank you, Louise. I hope dreams keep populating my sleep on a regular basis. Maybe even come true. :)

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  3. smiles. i too hope you dreams come true and am thankful for dreams as such to keep me moving forward...

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  4. ooh lovely sweet poem... dreamin' is amazing... sometimes they make you wonder...& some u hope that they're a reality one day...powerful & endless...

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  5. I am one prone to nightmares, so I crave the dreamless sleep...doesn't happen too often, as the dark circles under my eyes confess...perhaps if I could read something like this each evening, before the battle begins, it would help. I like your angel Joe...wish I had my own ;)

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  6. there are angels...and people... who help us see the world in new colors...they're precious...smiles

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  7. Oh how lovely Joe. I want one of those!

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  8. I love the flow, slow, melodic...nice write.

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  9. I really like the image of the shipwrecked sailor going under -- very apropos to the feeling of this night dread.

    Why is night time always the worst? To make us appreciate the day, I think?

    Another well written poem that sweeps one along with it.

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  10. i love a beautiful dream, it can carry over into the day...love the being present in the now even in your dreams, that was the message she brought to you, stop worrying, sleep gently, dream...

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  11. beautiful ...how I wish my dreams were similar ...thanks for sharing this was lovely x x

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  12. the mind a complicated place... dreams refreshing... too often we struggle

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  13. "When I awoke, I saw dawn in a light so new,
    it might as well be approaching from the west."

    Wonderful description of how one awakens to the light! Everything changes when the sleeper awakes!

    Thanks for sharing,
    Roger ☺

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  14. I think this is a metaphor for change in one's life, from one stage to another, for rite of passage, possibly for the ultimate passage - the last great adventure. Well done.

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  15. engaging piece Joseph -- enjoyable... I have a love/hate relationship with my dreams...

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  16. A beautifully evocative poem, the last lines make me smile :)

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  17. I know the regret you seem to feel at dreamless sleep. Thought it interesting to find that in your stimulating poem -- something at the edge of not just my own consciousness, it seems. If you meet that "angel" again, ask Her what gifts she brings. You may be even more surprised!

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  18. in a soft voice, she said "dream of wonders, joe"

    I don't want to break the wondrous spell that you cast with your words.

    *she tiptoes out wearing a relaxed smile*

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  19. Beautiful poem. .94 followers..wow..that is so great..b

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  20. My itinerary made of today's regrets and tomorrow's dread. Wonderful poem.

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  21. Nice. For me, my dreams are sometimes much richer, more promising than the waking world.

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  22. Aw, Joe, I love this. Reading your words is like slipping into something comfortable. Favorite part,

    "I lay in this bed
    with my itinerary made of today’s regrets
    and tomorrow’s dread,
    dreaming of being able to dream."

    -I do this, too.

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  23. i love those days when my gloom transforms into a world of light and colour

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  24. ...Joe...very much felt and enjoyed that colour transfusion... great concept...

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  25. I like this journey to dream. And it is in the peace of the present that we find our ability to not only rest, but to dream...you enlighten us with this news so beautifully.

    May you find your angel there with you every night.

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  26. This is such an uplifting piece Joe, the discovery of 'now' simple brilliance! ~ Rose

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  27. What a lovely night... with sunrise burst out in colors of hope and happiness... I enjoyed your words ..

    "“Here,” she whispered in my ear,
    “hold me and be mindful of now,
    not yesterday, not tomorrow. Feel my warmth,
    and drop your baggage. You won’t need it
    where we’re going.”

    Lovely poetry of hope at the end of the day...

    Shashi
    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya
    http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/11/whispers-fire-faayar-faayaar-dedicated.html

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  28. dreaming of being able to dream.

    I see fears, darkness, and struggles, but one thing for sure, dreaming of being able to dream is universal for us all.

    I hope that you keep dreaming,
    very stunning piece of poetry, Thanks for posting.

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  29. Oh Joe, this is lovely, being in the now, putting away yesterday and it's baggage 'tucking beneath her wing of white .
    “Here,” she whispered in my ear,
    “hold me and be mindful of now,
    not yesterday, not tomorrow. Feel my warmth,
    and drop your baggage. You won’t need it
    where we’re going.” ... blissful ...Lib x
    Have a great weekend Joe

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