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Dream of Life

Dream of Life

Last night I dreamed you walked through the front door,
you dipped Mom over backwards, ‘til her hair swept the floor.
I took a deep breath and I could taste your cologne,
thundering footsteps downstairs, we all knew you were home.
You caught Ronnie midair and twirled him around,
and gave Rob a squeeze as you put a diaper bag down.
Both dogs came running, crying sounds only dog’s can sing,
a beam of light danced across the room from your wedding ring.
We welcomed your soul mate, your beautiful bride,
and smiled ‘cause your son has your same blue, blue eyes.
Though we hadn’t yet met, we already knew her,
and your son looked just like you in an old baby picture.
Returned was the glow in your brave mothers face,
as she cuddled her grandson with her maternal embrace.

The kisses were soft, and the hugs were so tight,
no tears could be found in our house last night.
Music was playing and no words were spoken,
and for just this one night, our hearts were unbroken,
our hearts were unbroken.

Bouncing your young boy up and down on your knee,
your face was so proud and your eyes so happy.
I turned to discover that everyone was here,
all our family and friends as it was this past year.
There was food, drink and laughter, no room left to stand,
you swung your arm around your mother, as she kissed her young man.
I stared at mom’s face, as you brushed back her hair,
life returned to her eyes, her soul relieved of despair.

The kisses were sweet, and the hugs were so strong,
we knew that this visit wouldn’t last very long.
Music was playing and no words were spoken,
and for just this one night our hearts were unbroken,
our hearts were unbroken.

As dreams often do, they subside much too fast,
so you kissed us one last time before this magic passed.
Sometimes, I just don’t want to wake up.
Sometimes, I just don’t want to wake up.
Before sunrise could spoil this special occasion,
everyone stood and gave you a standing ovation.
You proudly picked up your son, hugged your wife, kissed your Mom,
bowed twice to us all, gave your signature point,
spread your wings and then you were gone.

The kisses were so soft, and the hugs they were so tight,
there were no tears on our pillows, in our beds last night.
Music was playing and no words were spoken,
and for just this one night, our hearts were unbroken,
our hearts were unbroken.

We thank you Dear Lord, for all that you give,
but we long for the Dream of Life, that Ryan never lived.

— tbeaudet, Nov 29, 2007

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Boston, USA

Favorite Poets: Patti Smith, Lucinda Williams, John Prine, Bruce Springsteen, Jim Carroll, Bob Dylan, Tom Waites

More from this author

Critiques

M

meic

18 years 6 months ago

“It’s not always that

"It's not always that past that you miss.....sometimes you miss what was to be." Ah yes. I will not critique the poem, expect to say your repetitions hit home for me. It's fortunate that tears are healing - I'm not ashamed to admit I shed a few. Thank you for sharing, my friend. Mike
Sinbadthesailorman

Sinbadthesailorman

18 years 6 months ago

Every nice I toyed with the word

embrace I know it rhymes with face every well but I some times like the strength of a word say Force over the ryhme effect Matenal Force over matenal embrace thats the only thing I could think might improve it might not but for some reason i THOUGHT THIS WORD fORCE WOULD HIT HARDER then embrace it jumped at me for some unknow reason but as it stands it is a wounderful peom wish Donnie
Sinbadthesailorman

Sinbadthesailorman

18 years 6 months ago

is there reason to the diaper bag instead of duffle bag

This part threw me a bit was he in the service or lost some other way at first I thought he was alone in his demiss but I reread and I see the reasoning for the diaper bag now as he pick up his son and gave the piont I missed it sevral times it means so much more now to me father and son lost only or am I just not here today help me please on this is this the reason for the repeation two lost not one the last line confused me a bit again Ryan is the son of your brother yes or no sorry I want to understand this peom fully as it plucks at the strings in my heart again this is why I reread peoms for I do miss so much at times But for me the descovery intices thanks for the dream If I had a lost brother I would have love to dreampt it the line we welcomed your bride " in " would carify for me that she is still alive Maybe I dont know I like this An dont know how I would carify it but you might give it a try I feel it means alot to you I'm not beating you or it up so please don't take it the wrong way tis a beautiful peom
tbeaudet

tbeaudet

18 years 6 months ago

Ryan was my 22 yr. old son

who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. Ryan was not married, nor did he have any children. Ronnie and Robert are his younger brothers... The diaper bag, the wedding ring, his wife and baby boy are all symbols of the life he never lived. After Ryan died, I later found myself mourning for the life he never lived....and I wrote this poem "Dream of Life". Thank you for reading and inquiring... Tom
C

cricket

18 years 5 months ago

sometime you

miss what was meant to be. that is so true.. the kids,grandchildren,etc.. I lost both parents and a very dear best friend... and I often think of what could of been.. and makes it very sad around this time of year.. you write so beautifully.. and with so much feeling and Love... my heart just breaks for you and your family.. I hope your poetry helps you to heal... my prayers are with you and your family.. God Bless. Hugz.. cricket
Rett

Rett

17 years 11 months ago

Dreams

Tom, Most of everything you write could be sung. I can tell you are filled with sadness over your son and the love you had for him comes through loud and clear. I am having to take these poems in small doses because I tend to tear up at the sadness and heartache in them. Well done my friend. I think Ryan would be proud. Rett ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Some call me lazy, I prefer Energy Conservationist~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That's P.C. speak by the way.
theladyblue

theladyblue

17 years 7 months ago

haunting...

each thought plucks at my heart strings and makes it sing... <3 Emarie @~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@ "For every shadow, no matter it's depth, is threatened by the morning's light..."
Mark

Mark

17 years 7 months ago

I love this

First your eyes start to burn then it happens . . . Someone once told me that they could not cry, she was very depressed so they gave her "anti-tears" medicine. Then someone else told me their eyes keep watering unaware that she needed to cry. I tend to think I'm more normal in regards as they roll down my face now and my nose is a bit runny. Tom, not very many poems have done this for me. I am sorry that what the dream was about occured in your life. Joy and Peace, Mark Man thinks this.
tbeaudet

tbeaudet

16 years 5 months ago

Thanks Mark

For your kind words and comments. When I saw your comment about the best poem you ever read about a dream, I had to check and see if you had ever read mine yet! But, to be honest, this was never a dream... I just wish it may be someday. Thanks again, Tom