Dreams

One day I closed my eyes and dared to dream. I had dreams of a better tomorrow, of a life free from sorrow. I dreamed of freedom from my limitations and of achieving all my aspirations. I dreamed of a future so bright and dreamed throughout the dark night.

Somehow my desire to see those dreams become a reality brought me to a foreign land, far from my family, far from my home. A land where I was in danger of losing my identity and maybe even my soul. Could it be that my dreams were slowly turning into nightmares? Because all of a sudden they were no longer making sense. At times I felt like I was aboard a promising ship but one that was destined to sink like the Titanic. And just like the Titanic, the band kept playing as though nothing was wrong. There were icebergs in my sea, closing in around me, threatening to sink me into an icy cold grave of despair and defeat.

I kept pinching myself and wishing away such a terrible end to my envisioned fairy tale. When was I going to get to the "happily ever after" part? But I could not wake up because it was not a dream, it was my reality.

So I sat down on the floor, drew my knees to my chest with my arms wrapped tightly around my legs. I began to rock back and forth and prayed to a Higher power, the only One who could save me. Eventually, I fell asleep, curled up in the fetal position as though making myself as tiny as possible so that no one would notice I was there. Maybe then, no evil could come to harm me. As I slept, I began to dream again.

I dreamed of dusty roads and rusty automobiles. I felt the hot sun and the aroma of grilled meats floated gently up my nostrils. I heard different languages most of which I could recognise but not all could I understand. I saw faces, all different shades of brown with a random face of a much lighter colour scattered here and there. I was at peace, I was happy, I was home.

Then I awoke. I am still a stranger in a foreign land and my travels have taught me much a greatly enriched my life. Still I am dreaming, and on the wings of these dreams I will fly to where I belong - my home.