sometimes ever after

"This is about a place that my dear friend, Linda Sue, and I dreamed about going to in August, 2002." - Cory Raymond


so they carried their bags
full of rocks and seashells
and their shoes full of sand
home where they decided to make
a magical wall with rocks and seashells
and driftwood and ocean-polished glass

it would not be high, just a demarcation
of their territory
a notice to all that this was theirs
the magic would keep out
anyone who did not possess a key
to their minds and hearts
but would allow entry to all
who aspired to gentleness
who practiced kindness
who spoke softly and let
their dogs carry the big sticks
for them

cats of every color
would sit on the wall
and sleep on it
and sing on it at night
celebrating the moon
and their catness
eyes glowing in the dark
with visions human eyes
failed to perceive
feelings human hearts
could not contain

people would sit there too
sometimes
and drink champagne from
chipped coffee mugs
and talk about
a different world
a beautiful place
and laugh and pet the cats
and hope to live
happily sometimes
ever after...


-Cory Raymond