THOSE WHO DREAM

The others asked:  How shall we know the path?

They said:  There are no markings-
    tundra shale and desert sand
    do not hold footprints
        to tell a traveled way.
    Nights are dark and starless.
        Clouds look all alike.

They said:  Then when we were young
    and stood upon the mountain top:
    we saw beyond a hundred river valleys
                                swamps beyond number
    the city of our dreams.
    It was real and palpable
        as if we stood upon its streets.
    we were young
        and looked from peak to peak
        a long long time ago.
    We've glimpsed the spires
            from other peaks in other years

They said:  We do not know the way
    but we remember what we've seen,
    walk toward our minds, picture,
    refuse for discouragement or fear
            to turn aside..
 

                                                                            Rudy