When Souls Dream

When Souls Dream They dream of distant shores with rivers that never end, The place they long to see as the Day becomes clear. They follow a dried river bed where elephants lay and surrender Their dust-covered bones upon layers of broken clay, Shadows on horseback drift through valleys and rocky trails, Past sunset-colored hills toward the soft, red, horizon. The sun dips into the canyon into a shimmering dark river with the moonlit stars reflecting their dreams upon the surface, A calm oasis for tired souls Burdened with costly goods, looking for rest from the black night searching for peace in the cool night, A large fire is kindled near the water smoke from the sacrifice rises high, The sweet aroma fills the air until it reaches the falling moonlight, The river is bathed with sparkling light Solemn faces are illuminated and bright, They look about with wonder and hope They look for the one who is strong in soul, A man rises and parts the moonlight in his hands is a sacred scroll, the light follows him to an altar of stone where he gently unfurls crisp, curved, pages He searches bold lines of black letters as the orange embers warm the night, The rest wait silently; with eyes barely open quietly listening; as if they are dreaming, Then the words are spoken from the scroll their sound echoes on the canyon walls, Memories buried deep within emerge reminding them all of who they were. A new vision forms in the horizon The Dawn is quickly rising, Golden sunrays shining the way pushing the shadows further away, A Whirlwind forms between the sunrays a rushing force that turns and turns! Filling the air with crystals of pure light the shadows flee from this fearsome Light! It rises slowly above the canyon as the young and old look with awe, The one who was strong cannot stand he is brought low - to his knees and hands, He whispers those sacred words once again, then a blanket of mist suddenly descends, And the heart of every soul opens wide because the Almighty is here - to give them life! Mark Stumpff