The sun was warm and soothing
the breeze was light and fair
I closed my eyes for a moment
and breathed the sweet fresh air

Before too long I was walking
down a trail in a wooded glen
I felt I had walked here once before
but I couldn't remember when

The path seemed so familiar
the trees seemed like old friends
There were clouds in sky that floated lazily by
In this charming little glen

I chanced to see a hawk
circling high above a tree
I thought to myself what a wonderful thing
If I could be that free

Suddenly to my surprise
I felt a change begin
I noticed I now had feathers
Where before there had been skin

I felt so light, like a puff of smoke
floating in the air
I spread my wings, just like a bird
And soared without a care

I saw fields of pretty flowers
and lands ranging far and wide
All this I saw from high above
while in a gentle glide

I felt like bonds had been lifted
and my spirit had been set free
Nothing barred my way
as I flew on toward the sea

Gliding to the coastline
I saw a village there
And hanging clothes on an old frayed line
was a maiden with fire red hair

She moved with beauty and grace
With lines so gentle and soft
I kept trying to see her face
While I circled high aloft

Suddenly the wind swept me
A gust caught me by surprise
Out to sea it blew me
And possibly to my demise

For again I felt myself changing
And falling from the skies
As I hit the ocean far below
I felt water stinging my eyes

Quickly I awoke
To see a bucket over my head
A bucket that once held water
That was now on me instead

"You shouldn't really sleep here"
the man was saying to me
There's a storm front brewing to the east
it's coming in from over the sea

He pointed across the meadow
and said to follow the trail
I'd be able to find some lodging
in the village without fail

I traveled the rest of daylight
on the road down to the sea
Till I came to the little village
the man had described to me

I walked until I found an inn
with a bright red painted door
I then had the strangest feeling
I had been here once before

A quick glance at the gables
Brought to my face a grin
a sign, proudly proclaimed
"Welcome to the Sea Hawk Inn"

I stepped inside and approached the desk
where I knew the keeper should be
But everything was quiet
not a soul did I see

A bell upon the counter
beckoned me to ring
With a resounding flick of my wrist and hand
I caused the bell to sing

After a moment of waiting
I heard a noise on the stair
And whom should I see descending
but a maiden with fire red hair

I thought I'd seen her in my dream
I thought I'd seen beauty and grace
But I had not known beauty
Until I had seen her face

So now my story is over
I'm as happy as can be
My wife is the red haired beauty
We live by the edge of a sea

The dream I had so long ago
made things clear for me
It guided me to life long love
with its subtle prophecy

~~~~~WP 03/11/2000~~~~~