The City of Hope

I closed my eyes on the world and I slept.

I slept long enough and deep enough

To wake in a world of my own creation.

I was ten years old again,

And I walked barefoot through city streets

Overtaken by the wandering roots of banyon trees

And the steady rise of the napier grass;

The crumbling buildings were colored

Green and blue and gold

By the overgrowth of sky vines and jasmine.

The machines of the city had long gone quiet.

All had given way to mystery,

To the irresistable embrace of the earth,

And the people were alive and awake.