DREAMING OF FREEDOM

The wind buffeted the window The sea roared in the dark And I dreamed……

Of nursing a dying man An artist

Once tall and colourful of mind Now shrunken and grey, his vision fading

I dipped a cotton bud into A glass of merlot And touched it to his lips…

So he could know crimson And then crushed blueberries Lime, and ripe apricots for gold

The raw umber, liquorice and aniseed The taste of death

Was already on his tongue

And as each loved one visited their farewell

He asked them to place one pill in his hand

When they had gone I gave him water And he swallowed them

He told me they tasted Of sunshine on his face Of glorious sunsets and cool pale dawn Of warmth, love and freedom Of joy And peace And sweet release

COLLEEN CATES

Ruakaka, NZ