THE TREE OF DREAMS
by Michael Kotyk

Once on a misty morning dawn
I walked along a lone country road,
I walked for awhile,
and my emotions were taught,
darkened by the problems of everyday life.
My Spirit was floundering,
like a small boat tossed in a tempest at sea,

Tiring from my journey,
I paused and stopped to rest,
Under the shade of a nearby tree.
Overwhelmed by emotion,
I rested my head upon my hands,
and cried myself to sleep,
under the shelter of the tree.

In my sleep, I beheld a wonderous dream,
A Heavenly voice spoke to me,
"Do not cry, my Child, for I will comfort Thee,"
I looked and from the tree emerged a glowing flame,
The flame was peaceful and inviting,
and from it  I beheld an outstretched hand,
"Come with me, my Child," the voice spoke again,
"I will show you the wonders of Life and all its mysteries",
Trustful of my Heavenly host,
I took the hand and enterred the flame,
and in my dream, I changed and became the tree.
We were one and the same.

"These are your roots," the Voice exclaimed,
and I looked at where my legs and feet had been,
and saw the faces of  my parents and grandparents,
and all those before me, and faces unknown,
"They will support you always", the Voice explained.
and I saw their smiling faces and felt their love,
and all my fears melted away.

"This is your trunk," the Voice exclaimed,
and I looked down upon my chest and torso,
and saw the face of my wife,
"She will protect you and be with you always," the Voice explained,
and I felt her warmth and her strength wrapped about me,
and all my wants faded away.

"These are your branches and your leaves," the Voice exclaimed,
and I looked at my arms and my hands,
and saw the faces of my children,
"They are your future."
I saw my children and their children and so on,
and my heart was filled with Joy,
and my sorrows melted away.

And from my slumber I did wake,
Well rested, my Spirit refreshed
I stood and stretched, rubbing sleep from my eyes.
the morn had become the day,
and my past problems had faded away,
With embers of the dream still locked in memory,
I walked home with newfound purpose,
remembering the lessons of a single tree.