WE PLAY AS CHILDREN


      I dreamed last night
      Of trees and a lake
      The light wind
      Blowing the morning air

      It seemed so real
      The people were happy
      Playing under the sun
      I met them

      I interacted with them
      They had lives
      And homes
      I made friends

      I swam in the lake
      The water brisk
      The air warm
      It didn�t feel as a dream

      I walked off the little beach
      And stepped on a pine cone
      The pain was real
      We sat in chairs

      We talked for hours
      All about this world
      The universe
      Shared are hopes for the future

      There was nothing unreal
      I could smell the wild flowers
      And touch a tree limb
      I saw the children

      They were running free
      Swinging on a rope
      Into the lake
      With giant splashes

      The children were awkward
      As they should be
      They swam to shore
      Climbed out of the water

      Then waited in line
      As they had been taught
      It was a simple time
      But still a dream

      I was fabricating these people
      They only did as I imagined them
      We were so happy
      I didn�t want to wake

      So I forced myself into
      A deeper sleep
      One a father turned to me
      He said don�t let this end

      I didn�t know how to answer
      This is my dream
      How could he be aware
      Still I slept

      I must keep this going
      All day the sun never moved
      Laughter all around
      Is this heaven

      I don�t want to leave
      I would feel myself start to wake
      So I grabbed the pillow
      And clutched it to my face

      I will not wake
      I will not take this beautiful
      Reality away
      The splashing became strong again

      I became dizzy for a time
      But the people became more concrete
      They were all my friends
      Telling me of their hopes

      A child sat on my lap
      She giggled
      When I tickled her
      Then jumped up to join her friends

      The simple games
      Hide and seek
      Tag
      They never ran out of energy

      The day wore on
      Yet the sun did not move
      This is my home
      I belong here

      I gasped for air
      I had held the pillow too close
      One last breath
      It was over

      I still sat in the chair
      My friends in a circle
      Not a moment had passed
      The children were laughing

      The sun moved across the sky
      I got up and went to the rope
      I swung over the lake and dove into the water
      I had died but my dream lives on


      Michael V Hechtman