In Her Dreams

In her dreams her skin was smooth as cream and her eyes clear and blue. She wore her hair like other ladies in 1945, a time when woman always wore dresses made by hand and dreamed of nylon stockings that were all but impossible to get during the war. In her dream her man was off in a strange land fighting for his country, she was so proud of him yet worried like the others he may never come home. On days a letter reached her, she sat down preparing for his words that flowed across the paper like a gentle moving stream. “My dearest” it would begin, her tears already flowing down her face, telling her war was hell but soon he would return to her as he longed to hold her in his arms and dance again. In her dreams he did return, and they married soon after. Children came and a house was built, a place shed call home for decades to come. The war ended and in her dreams their daughter wed and had a child with two more to follow. Then as in life, her dreams found her old and in poor health. He stayed by her side day and night holding her fragile hand in his whispering to her how happy shed made him way back then. She smiled one last smile as she went to sleep dreaming of dancing with her soldier so very long ago when her skin was smooth and her eyes clear and blue. The last tear that fell was for him, the love of her life who died fighting for his country and only got to dance in her dreams.

Mike

HOME

 

I want to go North one more time, to a place I called home a long time ago. I want to walk in the woods among the white birch and feel the mist from a waterfall on my face. I want to walk the streets of any town U.S.A., my town. I want to retrace my steps on hot summer streets and icy roads of winter. To the band shell where the music played and the tree next to it where my initials were carved with the swiss army knife I still hold dear you see my dad gave it to me. I want to smell the hot dogs cooking on the back yard grill and fresh mowed grass. I want to go inside the church I went to every Sunday and close my eyes in the silence. I want to walk to the park and remember the picnics and ball games and swing on a creaky swing. Lastly, I want to visit those souls who passed before me. Ill have a beer with my dad and a smoke with my first love. Ill tell stories of my life to others who meant so much to me and to assure them they’re never forgotten. I’ll spend a long time with my mom who now rests among those she loved, telling her I’m ok and miss her every day. I’ll finish my walk at the tiny house by the tracks where life lessons were taught, and I knew the meaning of love. Back on the plane heading home to my family I’ll close my eyes and sleep a peaceful sleep knowing everything I am is now safely behind me.

Mike 2021