The Dream - Part I (The Old Man) Poem by Sergio D'Amico

An Old Man lay down to sleep
On the grass beneath an Olive tree
All his life he worked with pride
and now it was time to rest his stride

As he slipped into the world of dreams
he was disturbed by the whispering of the trees
and as he turned to look around
he saw a boy play a heavenly sound.

Now this old man was short of sight
and tried to look into the boy's eyes
but the youth carried no smile
and his eyes were as dark as the darkest night.

'From where I come we do use our eyes
for we have learned to look through our mind
and when one discards the call of the heart,
one is dead before the day starts.
My land lies beyond the sea
where diamond grow on every tree,
flowers walk and birds talk,
a land which few eyes have gazed upon.
Many doors lead to many lands,
but just one door leads to this land,
I am here to guide you there,
so close your eyes if you are willing to dare.

But the old man felt too old
and was overcome by a chilling cold,
and as he turned to look around
he saw himself lying on the ground,
dreaming dreams of untold delight.