Gratitude (Justin Stewart)

Gratitude

A black willow had leaned off the bank, down into the stream
setting a keel and an eddy big enough for my boat.
I dozed off and was given a little dream.

Gratitude to the dream maker,
how wide this floodplain.

Gratitude to the springs of dreams,
jumbling up in different means, ego briefly sleeping. 

The steps I am climbing in this dream
rise from a dark night into a temple filled with a familiar and loving voice,
all stones covered with white lichens. 

Gratitude to the dark night and the steps toward light.

Gratitude to the revelations we can find.

I can not tell you where this dream or this stream starts or ends,
It would be an approximation,
just like this language.

Gratitude for the brewing of words above and below the stone.

Gratitude for this big dream on this little stream.

Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
~1852~

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Justin Stewart is a writer / musician / environmentalist living in Austin, TX. Click here for more of his writings on AllCreation. Visit JustinStewartMusic and CreekPeople.org to see / hear more of Justin's diverse works.