The Green House On 22nd Street

Just three blocks over from our family's home
There's a green house that keeps invading my dreams
And it has been calling to me for so long
That I can tell you the details, of each scene
Even though in real life, I've never been or seen, inside

So, how is it that I know so much, of its people, and lives
I know that the kitchen is silver and white
I know that there's a child there who never, ever, cries
And yet I know her, we've played together many times

The dreams are so vivid that I remember when awake
And I've walked down the block just to gape
And stood there quite frozen, I cannot escape
That somehow I've always known this place

I remember the garden, in the back, through the gate
And  I've played with the child there, no mistake
I know that I know them and it's making me late
I rush to my bedrooms dreamscape

Upstairs there's a fancy stone fountain
And a stuffed falcon on the wall
And a pretty laced fringe from the four posted bed
Yet I know that I've not been there at all

How can I know these things, while awake
When I know that its all just my dreaming of late
Or the possibility I may be insane
No, I cannot accept this as fake

So years go by and I've moved away
But the dreams of the green house won't fade
And again I approach the child through the gate
And we sit, and we talk, 'til I've played there all day
It seems that there is no escape

So I return home, and as I walk down the lane
A plan in my head, formulates
I approach the front door, my heart hesitates
I'm aware, just back of the door, a child waits
I cannot knock, every fiber in me is afraid
Real terror, utter terror
My heartbeat slows, I calm down
As I realize, I'm walking away.........

Tony Taylor (Chicago)