Dreaming of Grasshoppers and Lions

Dahlia, Oh Dahlia

Dahlia, Oh Dahlia © 2012 Bo Mackison

 

In the dream, I rest under the red-streaked flower petals,
lean hard against the wooly stem, gulping air, out of breath.
The palms of my hands press deep, leaving imprints
in the sugary sap. A dahlia forest. And I am ant-sized

and suddenly outnumbered by a cloud of gray-headed
grasshoppers. Sap from the stem drips on me, thin and
opaque like school glue. The stem is a vertical rope
and I ascend, slide between the shivery-cool sheets.

A ragged grasshopper leaps high, plucking the lowest petals,
shredding them into flower confetti which falls to the earth.
I climb deeper into the flower as more grasshoppers
dance in wild catapults, flinging me about. The petals tremble.

And it’s a dream, yes, so as I spill out of the petals,
the roar of a lion frightens away the grasshoppers
and I awake, perplexed, then laugh amused,
as the cat’s tail flicks my face and he leaps from my bed.

~~~~~~~~~~

Bo Mackison is photographer, book-maker, collector of stories, naturalist, curator and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. Apparently I have wild dreams about miniature flora while under the influence of pain medication. Hmmm. Hoping to get back on track soon.

About Bo Mackison

I'm a photographer, book-artist, traveler, naturalist, and creator of the Contemplative Creatives Journey, An Online Workshop and Community and Desert Wisdom Cards and Workshops. Though often not well known, I find the desert a welcoming place - a healing space. Its mysteries and gifts transformed me several years ago. Since that first encounter, I return again and again to fill my well in what most people think of as a desolate region. I'd love to share my desert discoveries and wisdom with you. Please subscribe to receive my five part mini email course The Gifts of the Desert. It's my gift to you.

Comments

  1. What a crazy, cool dream you had, Bo. And then you remembered it, and then you wrote this piece and took this photo…how very amazing this is!

    • Bo Mackison says

      I have a habit of dreaming crazy dreams and remembering them. I don;t usually write them down in poetry however. Ha!

  2. Love this poem, completely! And this image is one of my favorites, it’s as if you know my love of purple and beautiful flowers! 🙂

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