In this dream,
My family of four had to move
To an apartment, in a renovated
One-story building. Nothing elaborate,
But livable. We had a back-patio door,
And my youngest daughter, younger (almost
Fourteen, now), followed me out back. We went
To the right, past someone else’s patio door to the
Edge of the building, where a group of children were
Playing a game in a field. We sat on a small slope to watch;
I noticed ripe strawberries right beside me, and exclaimed
With delight! We ate some, until I noticed steps had morphed
Behind the strawberry greenery.

I looked up, and a plate glass window
Was now in front of me. I saw a large, luxurious
Living room, decorated in gold tones; an older woman sat
In a chair against the far, back wall, gazing at me with disdain
And disapproval. I grabbed my daughter’s hand and we walked
Back, towards our compartment. This time the second patio wasn’t
Ours, obviously, there was a bowl of freshly-picked strawberries placed
Where... I wondered how the chic older woman had gotten there before
Me. We arrived at our patio door, and ‘things’ got really strange.

I walked in the back patio door, there there was a
Patio door facing me, with a room in between. My daughter
Was still following me, and we walked forward to check it out,
Me in the lead. Clark Gable and some of his rowdy friends were playing
Golf in my front (back) yard! He looked like he did in ‘The Misfits’, was
Even wearing a cowboy hat, grinning ear-to-ear. I gasped, and changed, yet,
Stayed the same, and I backed off, thinking now was the perfect time to search
The next room. When I turned the corner, it was a bedroom, with a patio door.
And, Clark was coming closer, talking to me. I answered in a false falsetto voice,
Then became confused, clearing my throat and speaking again, I found my
Smoke-scarred voice. Morph. I turned around, and was in an older house, with
four rooms and red-peeling walls, like the outside of a barn.

It was small inside, just those four rooms, faded and age-hued.
I walked a few steps, and lifted a large wooden covering, attached
To the wall. An older grill-type 4-H county fair kitchen was in motion!
Behind it! I opened the second shutter up, and amazed, watching life moving,
Then, I went on, or, actually back, opening cupboard after cupboard-shaped doors
Of all sizes! I saw Howdy-Doody, mechanized atop a jukebox, not moving, thankfully,
I couldn't have stood that.. One small space held parallels aplenty, imitating art imitating
Life. I saw furniture, and clay pots, lamps-of-hope or have-nots, overlapped and sharp.

Next was a patio door, but I swung right, climbed up two steps, and considered. I
Decided, I liked the place, amended renting to buying all uniqueness, but,
Just in my head. Life imitates life. I continued forward and opened a larger door,
Looked in with harried vision, and found my sight eclipsed by ghosts of treasures
Past, present, placed and played. How insane is that? I went faster,
knowing my home(s) were in there, while anticipating others. I sighed, with satisfaction.
Time wept swifter than my dream, awoke me, from my nap. To me, this most
Beautiful dream slept/woke with me.

Erin Elizabeth Kelly-Moen
© Copyright 2/6/09