Is it a Dream?

by Ingrid Prohaska

I was very tired;
I fell asleep.
I slept too long;
I woke up, my eyes still closed, a smile on my face.
My dreams had brought me good feelings,
I enjoyed them.
I felt the wind on my face.
Where did the wind come from?
My worry overcame my pleasure.
I opened my eyes and saw – the sea!

"Ship's Deck" - Edouard Manet

"Who the hell brought me on this ship?"
I stood up, walked around the deck,
nobody to see, the ship still sailing.

"Who's piloting this ship?"
I heard voices and I followed them.
I got to the bridge.

Two faces were looking at me.
“Good morning, did you have a good night?”
“Yes,” I answered, “but why am I on this ship?”
“Sorry, may I introduce myself. I’m Captain Heart, commander on this ship. And this“, pointing to the other person, “is Chief Engineer Belly. He makes sure that everything is working in the right way. We both lead you through your life. We know the sea, we know the route, we know every iceberg. But we really need a reliable sailor. If you want that job you can get it.”

Suddenly a bell was ringing.

“I’m a sailor, just a sailor, …” I murmured,
when my hand reached the alarm clock to stop the bell.
I woke up, my eyes still closed, a smile on my face.
My dreams had brought me good feelings,
I enjoyed them.
I felt the wind on my face.
Where did the wind come from?
My worry overcame my pleasure.

I opened my eyes and saw - my bedroom, the window still open.

Copyright © 2008 Ingrid Prohaska

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