#369 Beneath A Shady Tree Poem by Jimmie Arrington

I stood beneath a shady tree,
To escape the summer heat.
There I thought it best for me
To relax throbbing my feet.

I rested my bones, closed my eyes
But only for a second or two.
I opened them, to my surprise
I beheld a marvelous view.

There stood a child I knew well,
A boy with sandy blonde hair.
His smile caused my heart to swell,
His blue eyes were filled with care.

A soft youthful voice spoke to me
But his words were of a man.
He said, 'Live and love cautiously,
Life rarely sticks to your plan.'

As I pondered his bold advice,
He vanished quick as he came.
Would this message come with a price?
Would I ever be the same?

Still in awe at what I had seen,
An old man swiftly appeared.
His white hair was combed, his clothes clean.
He looked familiar as he neared.

His smile was nice but rather wry
And spoke words I'll ne'er forget.
He said, 'Dreams lived multiply.
Dreams ignored turn to regret.'

Then he quickly faded away,
Just as the young boy had done.
At that moment, to my dismay,
I recognized each one.

I sat beneath a shady tree,
More alive, kinetic, wise:
Both the boy and the man were me.
And I opened my sleepy eyes.