One Can Dream

I had a dream the other night

For people like me, dreams are nonexistent

We never sleep, so we never dream but I was so tired

I had been around the world more than hundred times that day

My body was drained of energy

So I fell asleep, and well, dreamed

The rain has finally let up, clouds begin to clear

Rays of light soon peeked out from behind

Trees surround the walking paths, grass covers patches of land

I take a seat right next to a fountain

Mist attacks the pores of my skin

My fingers graze against the slight sheen

Just as I am about to turn around, let the water hit my face

A woman appears next to me

She wears a red scarf with a bright, yellow coat

It sort of screams McDonald’s

But when her elegant, innocent face with big blue eyes and brown hair

Turn to me, Mickey D’s is the last thing on my mind

A soft smile graces her lips and I return it hesitantly

Not sure why she is here, or what’s going on

Do you come here often?

She asks and I almost laugh at the pick-up line used by so many

But those eyes and that innocent expression refrain me from doing so

Um no, I don’t even know where I’m at

I reply honestly, because I don’t remember this place

There are so many; I can never keep track

That’s a shame

I love coming here

There’s a silence here, not many places have that

Silence, something I rarely hear

But it encompasses this entire area

I notice it then, we’re the only ones here

The thought vanishes when she speaks again

So why are you here?

I stare at her then look all around me

Tall and lean trees surround the vicinity

Encroaching on the small stone trails

Sunlight blotches in thin lines between leaves

Green, plush grass covers the land between paths

The soft water of the fountain can be heard and small chirping sounds emerge

I begin to relax, let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding

I needed a break

She nods her head and doesn’t ask why

Something I’m grateful for

Instead she says

I know what you mean

Someplace to catch your breath

Find a moment of peace

When she says it, it hits me square in the face

Peace, that’s what I needed

Peace

I nod my head once, indicating I understood her

You can’t stay for very long, can you?

I shake my head no

That’s what I thought

Don’t you ever just want to settle down?

Stop moving?

I look at her—this girl, this woman, this stranger

Who reads me like a book

Turns every page and reads every line

And finds all the secrets hidden inside

I wish it were that simple

I say looking down the shady path

Well, I have to be off

She says as she rises and rearranges her scarf

I grab her wrist, signaling her to wait

Where are you going?

I ask looking up with an expression that surely reads displeasure

She smiles with a teasing glint in her eye and takes my hand

Come on, you can walk me out

I follow like a man in a daze

Her hand warm in mine

I glance down at her and realize how much taller I am

She’s so petite but so breathtaking

What’s your name?

I have to know that at least

Her lips turn up slightly and the glint returns to her blue orbs

You know

We reach the end of the path

Where the trees widen

Into an open area

Full of grass, knee high

But I see it, in a distance, another trail, as trees part for its way

One, I assume she is going to get on

Well, here we are

It was a pleasure

She states facing me

I look down at her

At a loss for words

I stare at her in discontentment, not knowing why this has to end

I don’t want to say goodbye

She smiles wider this time and reaches up to touch my cheek

Oh how different you are

I almost forget to breathe

Emotions swirling around me

Captivating my body

Freezing me

I blink to regain some motion

And she’s gone

I look around frantically

Searching for her

Then I catch sight of her

Across the way on the other path

Waving in yellow and red

I attempt to run to her

But my feet don’t move

I look down and see them fading

Before I know it, the sun becomes cloudy, trees blur and vanish

And I wake up feeling a loss like none other

I had lost time, during the dream that night

But I knew, those hours, those minutes of peace

Were worth it, even for just a moment

Then I remembered, I did know her

I try to stop by every chance I get

Just to look at her, make sure she’s okay

Even though she sees right through me

Her innocent charm, her wonderful personality

Of course, it would only be her

Irene

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