Dreams and Eternity

My wife had a dream--
we were on a train and 
as it pulled into the station,
she grabbed the bags but 
I had vanished....
She looked and looked, 
went up and down 
the long platform anxiously 
as waves of strangers moved
past her--her fears rising, 
her throat drying as she felt lost,
like a child cast off alone 
in the world...abandoned.

She went to where 
the proud station master stood, 
and then saw me behind him, 
looking very tired, worn-out, 
perhaps even a little sad ....

I never asked what she thought 
the dream might mean, if anything.
But I wondered if it meant that 
my life was closing out, that 
our long train ride of forty-odd years 
was finally pulling into the terminal. 

Was it 'just a dream' or a dream rare, 
a dream of prophecy, a dream calling,  
a dream of eternity... 
but isn't every dream eternal, 
Existing like a little life, real 
and of time and substance?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Gauthier Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 1:25 PM
Cool musings, Nolo ~
Andresen Avatar
May 27, 2020 at 2:29 PM
- Dreams can be so much and it's not always easy to understand them - Dreams are the best therapy for us humans ... and dreams can be fulfilled - Congratulations on your winning poem, L.J. :) - // Anne-Lise :)
Carber Avatar
May 28, 2020 at 9:25 PM
Thank you, Anne-Lise
Mishra Avatar
May 27, 2020 at 1:42 PM
That's such a chilling thought actually. Your words created an aura of fear and suspense. Congratulations on your win :)
Carber Avatar
May 28, 2020 at 9:25 PM
Thank you, Aditi!
Chiri Avatar
January 27, 2020 at 2:53 PM
Gorgeous write my friend! Congrats on your win!;)
Raven Avatar
January 7, 2019 at 10:53 AM
Hi L.J. dropping by with my congratulations on your well-deserved win in the contest with this wonderful write. have a wonderful Monday....Mike.
Carber Avatar
January 8, 2019 at 3:06 PM
Thank you Mike, much appreciated!
Wolf Avatar
January 6, 2019 at 1:37 PM
So moving and thought-provoking on both a micro and a macro level, L.J. Your poem truly addresses the objective of the contest. Really well done! Congrats, Gershon
Carber Avatar
January 7, 2019 at 9:53 AM
Thanks Gershon, and may I wish you and yours a very good 2019!
Andresen Avatar
January 6, 2019 at 1:23 PM
- A great win, congratulations, L.J. :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Carber Avatar
January 7, 2019 at 9:53 AM
Thanks Sunshine! I appreciate it.
One Avatar
January 6, 2019 at 11:08 AM
Congratulations on your placement in the contest..
Carber Avatar
January 7, 2019 at 9:52 AM
Thank you Silent One- I feel honored!
Imtiaz Avatar
November 4, 2018 at 11:45 PM
hi It seem to be a good dream. As after making struggle and efforts she ultimately find you. So it is a sign of something good coming to her after making some struggle.
Carber Avatar
November 5, 2018 at 9:00 AM
Thank you Muhammad
Wolf Avatar
October 7, 2018 at 12:28 PM
As they say, dreams are based on what is on the individual's mind at the time. Your musings could well be justified... Loved that last line too... Best wishes, Gershon
Carber Avatar
October 9, 2018 at 9:56 AM
Thanks, my friend-- I must admit, I dig that line too!
Canerdy Avatar
September 24, 2018 at 8:58 AM
This is very thought-provoking, L.J. Sometimes I wake up after a strange or unsettling dream thinking "What was THAT about?" Janice
Carber Avatar
September 25, 2018 at 9:07 AM
Thanks, Janice-- dreams really are like other 'lives' we live, aren't they?
Dietrich Avatar
September 19, 2018 at 5:42 PM
I like your dreamy poem. I dare not ever try to interpret mine. Very strange ones I have!!!
Dietrich Avatar
September 19, 2018 at 5:42 PM
but I love them for they are in technicolor
Carber Avatar
September 19, 2018 at 8:26 PM
Thanks Andrea-- I think my dreams are always in color, though perhaps not technicolor! (which might indicate you have a vivid imagination, or are an artist)
Brewer Avatar
September 19, 2018 at 5:47 AM
Len, as always your poems, beautifully written, grab my imagination and draw me into your world. Perhaps dreams, attempting to locate ourselves in the mystery of sleep, reflect our fears, but do not predict the future from some fountain of knowledge and wisdom.
Carber Avatar
September 19, 2018 at 8:24 AM
Thank you my friend. No one in this world can say what dreams are--my guess is they're multifaceted: some are pure nonsense, a sort of play; some reflect conflicts of the unconscious;and perhaps, just perhaps a few are from beyond our limited world. The one thing certain is that whilst we dream, they seem as real as this world of daylight and gravity.
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