Zebra Dream

                                                 

When Max was younger, we didn't know if he knew what a dream was  

we assumed he had dreams

doesn't everyone have dreams?  

I was curious about Maxi's dreams

as I guess all parents are about their child's inner life

 . . . . .  or anyone about anyone's inner life.

We would ask Max about his dreams though we were never sure

if it was a dream he was telling us about.  

Sometimes, when we asked him about what he had done at the child-minders

he would enthusiastically say, "Seaside!"  

The child-minder certainly had not taken Max there

but he very much wanted to go.  

It was the same with his dreams.  When he said "Puddles"

we did not know whether he had dreamt about jumping in them

or whether that was what he wanted to do next. 

 

Max was two and half years old and slept

for a couple of hours every afternoon.  

Sometimes he was very slow to wake.  

If we had to leave earlier than usual, I had to wake him up.  

I would do this gently as he used  to get 

very grumpy if was woken too quickly. 

One afternoon, I had to wake him up.  

I got down on the floor next to the cot

where I could see his beautiful sleeping face

and started quietly talking to him

till I saw him stirring and waking, yawning and frowning.

I stopped talking as he opened his mouth and said, very clearly:

"Zebra". 

He opened his eyes and then there was a long pause.  

Finally, he said with real disappointment in his voice:

"Oh  . . . . .  where gone?"

 

Island Gardens . . . . .  that’s where we went to today.

Max was restless in his buggy

he kept saying he was not tired

despite some huge yawns.

I found a good spot and parked him

where he could see a big Holly Tree

its branches and leaves swaying in the river breeze.

while Max sucked his thumb and held Charlie Crab

I read to him in a quiet slow steady voice

leaning forward from my park bench.

his eyes got heavy

slowly closed

his hand fell away from his mouth

his body relaxed

and he was

deeply

asleep.

  

Then as I watched that face I love

He smiled and gave a little laugh.

Max laughs in his dreams

 

I am amazed because I cannot remember a single laugh

Or even a moment of mild humour

Nor even a grin

In any of my dreams . . . .   ever

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