E
This was written two years ago, during the first semester of my freshmen year of college. I never thought of a title for it.
I once dreamt a dream
While in sleep dark and deep,
A dream endless and empty
And as dead as dead can be.
Then from the depths of the void
I heard voices serenading --
The shadows began fading
As the voices sang, overjoyed.
The emptiness which darkened
My dream waned as I hearkened
With slumbering ears to the song --
Then suddenly, the void was gone!
I saw thousands of milling throngs
Of men and angels of every race
Filling a wondrous place . . .
But I did not see the land, for I
Could not help but find my eyes
Drawn to two figures amid the crowd
To whom the adoring masses sang aloud:
To two they sang, both clothed in white,
From whom both emanated light.
One shone with such intensity
My eyes were blinded, and I could not see;
Then fingers touched my eyes and a voice spoke,
"Look at me." My eyes re-opened, and something awoke
Deep within my slumbering being.
I gazed into the Lamb's gentle eyes, and I found myself seeing
An ancient love, bottomless, which wept a million tears
And soothed a billion fears . . .
And within His eyes I saw a young world
And a shadow hurled
From its place of holy birth
In disgrace to a little earth.
The fallen darkness spread as an unholy stain,
And in those eyes I saw great pain
As billions of lives were infected and broken.
Then . . . a light, and spirits were woken.
In His eyes I watched the night-darkened world
Change as a single light upon it flared and unfurled
Across its surface, and set spirits alight
Amid the broiling expanse of lifeless night
To begin burning as countless stars
Spanning all the earth from near to far;
Some fell, but the falling stars were caught
By a giant hand; they were not
Left to break or fade, and instead
They were lifted up as a Voice said
"Well done, good and faithful servant."
The Voice was massive; the Voice was ancient,
But it was so soft and warm I felt
My knees grow weak and my heart melt
At the tenderness of His tone.
Then, the Lamb's hand touched my own.
The sight of the stars, hand, and dark land
Faded as once more I looked upon
The Son who stood shining like the dawn,
Cloaked in hope, promise, and renewal.
I once dreamt a dream
While in sleep dark and deep,
A dream endless and empty
And as dead as dead can be.
Then from the depths of the void
I heard voices serenading --
The shadows began fading
As the voices sang, overjoyed.
The emptiness which darkened
My dream waned as I hearkened
With slumbering ears to the song --
Then suddenly, the void was gone!
I saw thousands of milling throngs
Of men and angels of every race
Filling a wondrous place . . .
But I did not see the land, for I
Could not help but find my eyes
Drawn to two figures amid the crowd
To whom the adoring masses sang aloud:
"Oh Fearsome Lord,
"My Righteous King,
"How sweet You are
"When everything
"I have done
"Was unworthy,
"Yet Your grieved heart
"Still sought to find me
"And give me hope
"Rather than see
"Me forever lost
"For eternity."
To two they sang, both clothed in white,
From whom both emanated light.
One shone with such intensity
My eyes were blinded, and I could not see;
Then fingers touched my eyes and a voice spoke,
"Look at me." My eyes re-opened, and something awoke
Deep within my slumbering being.
I gazed into the Lamb's gentle eyes, and I found myself seeing
An ancient love, bottomless, which wept a million tears
And soothed a billion fears . . .
And within His eyes I saw a young world
And a shadow hurled
From its place of holy birth
In disgrace to a little earth.
The fallen darkness spread as an unholy stain,
And in those eyes I saw great pain
As billions of lives were infected and broken.
Then . . . a light, and spirits were woken.
In His eyes I watched the night-darkened world
Change as a single light upon it flared and unfurled
Across its surface, and set spirits alight
Amid the broiling expanse of lifeless night
To begin burning as countless stars
Spanning all the earth from near to far;
Some fell, but the falling stars were caught
By a giant hand; they were not
Left to break or fade, and instead
They were lifted up as a Voice said
"Well done, good and faithful servant."
The Voice was massive; the Voice was ancient,
But it was so soft and warm I felt
My knees grow weak and my heart melt
At the tenderness of His tone.
Then, the Lamb's hand touched my own.
The sight of the stars, hand, and dark land
Faded as once more I looked upon
The Son who stood shining like the dawn,
Cloaked in hope, promise, and renewal.
His face was wise and kind, no hint of cruel
Intentions within His being;
Gently, He said, "What you are seeing
"Is the Truth -- more goes on than what you know.
"A lost battle began ages ago,
"And the enemy . . . though he has failed . . . is intent
"On luring you and others away from the Father. Be resilient.
"Do not fear; I am always here,
"And if you fall, you will be caught . . .
"For though the darkness hates you, We do not,
"And there is nothing you can ever do
"To dissuade us. It is your choice
"To adore us in return and worship my Father's voice;
"Whether you choose the light or the dark, know
"My eyes are upon you wherever you go."
He smiled at me, and then He spoke
"Remember me." Abruptly I awoke
And breathlessly sat up in bed
While inside me something formerly dead
Also woke, and could See . . .
~*~
. . . And, somewhere, heavenly
Voices cried out in mirth as on a little earth
Another star flared into life
Amid the churning darkness and strife.
Two mighty beings tenderly watched the new
Twinkling star, and whispered to it . . . "I love you."
Did you actually have this dream and were/are you an English major? You would make a great post as you have the patience and perseverance to write a poem that long. Great work!