Yesterday's Dream

Once, in a dream, I returned to the farm.

I was fishing at my golden pond.

The red-winged blackbird chattered hello

Cattails and willows swayed for my presence.

A gentle spring breeze, still cooled by winter

Dried a tear of joy on my cheek.

I could almost see dad on the opposite shore

Casting long and swatting at a mosquito.

A giant bullfrog toyed with my bait

That I dangled on his nose.

Don't know what I'd do if he

Actually would swallow my hook.

An old reliable catfish took my worm

His silvery skin scarred by my

Tattooed initials on his blunt forehead

Dad never knew of my deed.

Then everything suddenly turned to mossy green

Dad, the blackbird, the fish

The cattails and willows

All returned to the caverns of my mind.

I awoke, briefly young again.

Briefly happy again,

Wiping a winter cooled tear off

My wrinkled, unshaven cheek.

By Randall J. SchoffYesterday's Dream