In my dream there was an oppressive
red mass on the landscape. It was
a red light in the night warning Danger.
Inflamed, diseased, angry — those who entered
couldn’t find a way out. Familiar streets
left dark and empty, as if they’d lost
power. But there on that unlit map
I saw a spot of blue like a piece of sky
settled to earth. Calm and healing — those who
entered could freely come and go. It seemed
to me a kind of blue forest, refreshing
and safe, from which to look out onto
the overshadowed land with its promise
still alive to those sheltering in peace.
.
Thomas R. Smith
.