" THE GREEN HOUSE ON 22nd STREET "

Just three blocks over from our family's home
There's a green house that will not leave my dreams alone
It has been calling to me for so long
That I can tell you the details of each scene of these dreams
Even though in real life, I've never been, or even seen, inside...

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

The dreams are so vivid that I remember them when I wake
Been oddly motivated to walk down 22nd street, just to gape
I've stood before the house quite frozen, I cannot escape the idea
That somehow I've always known this place....

I recall the garden, in the back, through the gate
And I've played with the child there, there is no mistake
I feel that I know him, and something's making me late
I rush to my bedroom, and the dream that awaits...

Upstairs there's a fancy stone fountain
A stuffed falcon on the wall
A pretty laced fringe, dangling, from the four posted bed
Yet, I know that I've never been there at all...

How can I know these details, while I'm awake
When I know that it's all just my dreaming of late
Or the haunting possibility, that I may be insane
"NO!" my mind screams, "This cannot be fake!"

So years go by, and I've moved away
But the dreams of the green house won't fade
Again, I approach the child through the gate
And we sit, and we talk, 'til I've played there all day
And it seems that there is no escape
From this house, that has something to say...

So I return home, and I'm drawn to walk the lane
Where a plan, in my head, formulates
As I approach the front door my heart hesitates
And I'm acutely aware, that behind the door, a child awaits
Real terror, utter terror, grips me
My heartbeat slows, I calm down
As I realize
I'm walking away
And a tear
Slides down my face
And I think to myself
There WILL
Come a day......

Tony Taylor   (Chicago)