I Dreamed 1 I dreamed that I was drowning In the blue Aegean Sea. A topaz sun was frowning As it bid good-bye to me. I plunged into a great abyss, Poseidon's kingdom deep. I saw the lost Atlantis. The city seemed asleep. I entered by a rusted gate A forsaken, empty place. Had they fled before too late To save their unique race? There were no bones the truth to tell, No skulls or ribs or teeth. Just sponges, squids and empty shells And seaweed looped in wreaths. I saw no coin, no pearl, no gem, No sparkle caught my eye. They took their treasures with them As they hurried not to die. I like to think they’re still around, The Atlanteans of old Waiting till their land is found So their story can be told. 2 I dreamed that I was burning In the hot Sahara waste. Vultures' wings were churning As they sought some flesh to taste. I came across a human bone Half-buried in a drift And wondered, had he died alone, Did death come as a gift? Was he lost in a sirocco wild Stumbling as one blind Blasted by winds that defiled Until he lost his mind? Was he a warrior or a knave Of an old nomadic tribe? If a stone were on his grave, How would it be inscribed? Had he been cruel or kind and warm, Cherished or despised? Had he been loved for his charm Or hated for his lies? Whether champion grand or villain low, Or just one who lost his way. These are things I will not know Until my dying day. 3 I dreamed that I was flying Above Montego Bay. The palm trees were all sighing As they waved me on my way. I soared above the rooftops Like a modern Peter Pan. Saw goats and fields of cane crops, And islands shaped like fans. I flew with screaming sea gulls But soon left them behind. I was in the realm of eagles We were almost eye to eye. Through fuzzy, fluffy clouds I rose To a pure sky sweet and clear. I knew that I was getting close, My destination near. I saw the earth below me, A blue revolving ball. Saw Venus, Mars and Mercury, The other planets all. I dreamed that I was flying Among stars that flashed and spun. But I was really dying, My mortal time was done. --Cat Dubie