Thirteen Ways Of Looking At A Dream Poem by Chris Schleier, Jr.

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Dream
I. Standing on the peak of a tsunami wave,
all I can think is
that I'm dreaming.

II. I was three-legged,
like a stool,
sitting atop my dream.

III. I fell from the sky into
an ocean vortex
which, dreaming, was simple.

IV. I saw my love, who died last year.
She and I are together as I dream.

V. My dream paints a bloody mess,
and the heaven I do not know.
I cannot say what is more beautiful...

VI. Sitting in a log cabin by the frozen lake,
a bird flew in and sat on my knee.
I asked him his name. 'Dream, ' he said.

VII. In the wheat field,
I stand with all of my family.
All family is all I have ever
dreamed of.

VIII. She told him his accent
was dreamy.
I have heard her with his accent
in my dream.

IX. I woke up refreshed,
and my dream fluttered away
with the flock
of my neighbors'.

X. When I realize I'm in a dream
I'm horrified with pleasure,
and corrupted by fantasy.

XI. I was sitting on the beach,
and I thought my hero was
walking my way.
I got up and ran to her,
but she was my childhood friend...

XII. I don't feel fear.
I must be asleep...

XIII. I lay next to the woman I love,
holding her hand, sleeping.
I awaken from my nap
as she phones me from Italy.