The Poet’s Words

I dreamt I went past Styx and Lethe to the meadows just beyond the Poet was tending his bees all a-hum and happy in forgetfulness the Poet smiled too in bliss until he saw my face and remembered

you’ve come for an answer the Poet said all the lost ones do they think me wise in my unlived years when I know nothing beyond the pasture

I’ve come about the pasture I say the ones you knew long ago tell me how we can go back there and hear the tune of the shepherd’s pipe

you cannot go back the Poet said to the fields of long ago we were displaced and all but forgotten and in the end utterly changed

then how I asked can the fields rise again can crops flower and trees grow tall how do we forget the fields infertile and dead

you cannot forget the Poet said unless you wish to drink from Lethe and tend the bees with me but time makes all things change we change with the fields only through change can we sing out again go back to your barren city streets bring the lost the forgotten the pushed away and sing a new song to the trees and flowers that may yet bloom again

awakening foggy and delirious I knew the Poet’s words changed me I looked out upon the barren city and heard a far-off tune take flight to the tops of the trees yet grown