Dreamer                                                      

Southwest flight to Portland 

everyone with their backpacks 

olive green, Nalgenes, 

long hair, instruments in hand. 

In this state, 

I will find you here. 

"Play a song for us."

I remember piano keys

emanating from the red walls 

as I lay my head down to sleep, 

sweet, musical themes of my childhood. 

"Play it for us again, would you?"

Tell us a joke

when we're angry

give us a laugh 

when we cry.

Chipper spirit, kin

tell me about your dreams

tell me about the worlds you see in your mind 

the ones you create.

I remember beach hotels 

Years ago

Warm porridge in the morning

Golden syrup friendship

We didn't need any others. 

I remember sandcastles 

Hours and hours on masterpieces

and then the minutes spent scrambling 

when waves force us to work 

faster than we'd ever thought we could...

"Anything is possible," you'd say.

I remember real castles, 

walking walking walking

old stone remnants of the life lived,

Maybe they were a warning. 

We'd climb over the rocks 

find the walking sticks

And hike the hills

we'd never seen in Illinois;

these were our adventure stories.

You were prince of Egypt

and lakes

we'd part 

the red sea with our staffs,

Disney movie euphoria,

and happiness--singing all the while.

"Sing for us, would you?"

You were the leader.

Fellowship of the ring,

in our backyard woods

smacking down the nettles 

with our sticks,

Pioneers in a marshland

soon to be conquered

by the children of its owners. 

Conquer the world, my friend, 

and rule it well.

I remember the time in the subway 

in the city of France that glows

You were the charmer in the movies

joking with the locals.

I remember the top of the mountain we climbed, 

looking into other countries,

where you taught me to see 

without border lines in the way,

blocking my vision. 

Teach me to smile like you have

so many times,

show me how to play like you do…

and please, 

"Sing for us whenever you'd like,"

and dream with me 

like I know we always will.

Inspire us, dreamer,

and whatever you do, 

know that you 

are loved.