To the Boy I Saw in a Dream

Cadence Bommarito

If we walked under an oak tree,

would you even begin to gather the courage

to

turn me towards you?

I'd close my eyes and wait for what I've been dreaming.

I'm worried nerves would

soak you

but we'd laugh and splash,

our fingers running through the falls

showering inches in front of

my dreams.

The oak tree will remember us

and reminisce

on how lost we were.

Trying to maneuver through thickets

and brush

piled over mountain rock.

I called out for you.

MARCO! Oh polo where did you go?

I heard your voice but it echoed

through my ear.

Ringing like a blackbird

calling it's last chirp before passing.

His flock swarmed the sky

closing

and closing

overhead.

Yet finally,

before they reached us,

the sunshine bursted the flight

and glazed over us,

through the leaves

like they didn't exist.

I opened my eyes and my dreams were no longer dreams.

What once was untouchable,

talking to a waterfall

was now against me,

under the oak tree.

The mountain

and sun

and rocks

and trees

and birds

and falls

all going on as if it's nothing out of the ordinary.

But to me,

you are the tallest mountain,

the shining sun,

the smoothest rock,

the oldest tree,

the liveliest bird,

and the rushing falls.

I close my eyes once more, thrilled with my truest dream.

Unbothered by what would’ve come,

had you not begun

to gather up courage under an oak tree.