I Remember the Dream

I remember the dream

Vivid, bright fire in my mind

The van cruises, the sky black

The factory is on fire

The billowing flames rise

And bend, and shift, and turn

The birth of an atomic, dreadful breed

Immolation through all things

The rising fire of destruction

The land is scorched

Trees and buildings

Dance in fire, wind and ash

I turn to my friends

‘Do not be afraid;

Life is filled with these beautiful moments’

The flames hit and I awake

I remember the dream; vivid, bright fire.

Based on a particularly intense dream I had over 10 years ago - during one of the Balkan conflicts I think

Boy on the Boat

The boy on the boat
Man to be ascendant
Bleakness of the background
Echoes your future

The boat on the sea
Sails on the tides and eddies
Pushed towards arid destiny
Too soon, your sea becomes a desert

From your sunken ship
My life’s boat sets forth
A new vessel of your making

My hand at the tiller

I am now the boy on the boat

The photo is a picture of my late father when he was quite young