The Key


from the ABC set Proems

Last night, I had a dream,
In my dream, I found a key,
A key that opens the door,
The door that led inside of me.

I turned the key, and opened the door,
I couldn't believe who met me there.
It was a boy; he was shabby,
Standing by the door, smiling at me.
He looked familiar, indubitably,
Still I asked, "Who could you be?"

He said-
"Have you forgotten? Can you not see?"
"I will be you, and you were me."

I entered the room, and again I found,
An older man, about sixty-five,
Well groomed and well dressed,
He hinted a measure of success.
With joy, I asked, "Who could you be?"
"Will I be you? And you were me?"

He said-
"Possibly, ... just possibly,"
"Though I really am what you dream to be,"
"It is not yet certain, just possibly."

Somewhat dismayed, I sounded my query,
"So, to be you, what hinders me?"
"Swallow the key," he thus replied,
"And the knowledge you seek you'll surely find."

So I swallowed the key, but then I choked,
I coughed and coughed and up I woke.
Outside the window, at once I looked,
The sun was up, ... again late for work.

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