Dreaming of Stephen

I saw you in my dreams last night

In the sweetest plaza of a snowy town

Everyone was out enjoying the first heavy wet snow of the spring

It was falling all around us on the bright green leaves

Settling on the fresh flowers and vines

Covering the wide stone stairs, resembling the Spanish Steps in Rome

They terraced all around, and snow was

Drifting into streets, bringing everything to a halt

We both were just visiting the city

And I hadn’t seen you at first, but you had seen me

I was smiling and laughing with a friend of mine

Startled at the falling snow

Yet laughing and playing like we were fairies

Who had nothing but time and smiles

Among the powdery white flakes

I found little acrylic clocks

Tied with ribbons you could hang them from

In spring green, bright blue and daffodil yellow.

The time piece was clear and the numbers, painted on it

And they were the size of my thumb!

Some circular, square, triangle and rectangle

They fell from the sky with the snow

I collected them on my finger

But they weren’t easy to find.

Finally you stepped in front of me and smiled

“Hey, stranger.” In the softest voice

You had on a trench coat and a hat

I’d recognize that hat and smile anywhere

My face lit up so brightly and my body

Melted into your arms as they surrounded me

I felt my whole body smile as I said “Where have you been?”

We slid down a slide to the bottom of the stairs together laughing

You told me that your life was “fun but complicated”

I smiled and said “It always was. Mine is simple, and I’m happy.

But know that I love you and part of me misses you. “

You pointed out your wife from the stairs

I smiled.

I knew we had to part so I turned away

You called after me, “Some days I just feel so old.”

I turned back to look at you, “Sweetheart, you and I will never be old."

And I handed you one of my little clocks.

You asked me if you could do anything for me before you left

I suddenly realized I was trapped in a plant box with no way to lift myself out

The stone walls were to high and with my leg, I couldn’t l get out

You lifted me out. We were both laughing.

I said, “I’m okay from here, it was good seeing you.”

And I really meant it from my heart

I walked away and turned to watch you

You had already started walking toward your life

As I was ascending the stairs to mine

Still holding all the acrylic clocks in my hand

Weightless, timeless, and beautiful

I was happy and content

I saw my friend waiting and I smiled at her

She watched the whole thing and was waiting to hear the story.

I laughed to myself, thinking I just could not put into words

What my life was really all about.