Seeing Elephants

photo by Kesara Rathnayake

I don’t usually remember my dreams, but a recent dream was so absurd that I woke up and recorded it in my journal:

I saw a man and his wife in my neighborhood out walking with their baby in a stroller. A baby elephant walked alongside them. Very odd. I asked him why there was an elephant with him, and we had a discussion about why I thought it was a bad idea. Can’t remember the exact conversation, but I thought it might make a good writing prompt.

Me: I see you are walking with an elephant.

Man: Yes.

Where did it come from?

I really don’t know. It showed up on my doorstep.  

 I see. Well, we have something in common. I am having a dream of this exact elephant. Are you going to keep him?

It is not a question of keeping him. I will take care of him as long as he continues to follow us. He seems to have chosen us.

Wouldn’t it be wise if you called an authority like a zookeeper? Maybe you could see if a zoo nearby is missing an elephant. I mean are you willing to bear the expense of caring for such a large animal?

It is my duty to bear the expense.

If it was me, I’d call the zoo. Do you know anything about the needs of an elephant? You should call an authority.

Elephants are wise. He has chosen me for a reason. You are very worried about a problem that does not concern you. You must leave this dream at once.

Hey, buddy, this dream chose me just as the elephant chose you. As a dream symbol this elephant may represent something important. I’m staying in this dream until it makes sense to me. Step aside and let me talk to the elephant. I’ll see if he knows why we are here.

The man stands back, and the baby elephant speaks! (That’s right. The elephant talks now. Writing prompts are even sillier than dreams.)

Me: Excuse me, Elephant Baby, Do you represent an obstacle in my life that I need to address?

Elephant: Yes. Anything is possible.

Okay. Why do you say that?

Anything is possible.

 Again. Please explain.

You are having a dream in which anything is possible. And you are having a hard time believing that anything is possible. You tell me why I’m here.

You are not real. I will wake up. You’ll be gone.

Anything is possible.

You mean if I allow myself to dream, anything is possible?

Bingo!


For comment, do you ever dream about elephants?

A Couch Tale

Photo and design by David Toboni

I cannot look at my couch without smiling. That’s why I chose it for my office, certainly not because it’s an exact match for the paint or carpeting. Now, as the sunlight streams in through the seams of the white mini-blinds and a breeze dances the shadow of leaves from our Crepe Myrtle across its colorful fabric, I marvel at the fanciful design. Blue tulips, yellow daisies, and orange lilies bloom along a green vine against a backdrop of sandy brown.

 If I lie here I might fall asleep and dream I am sailing on my couch. Odd, but that’s how dreams are. Tulip blue, daisy yellow, and vine green sheets bellow in a swift breeze as surfers and boaters point at me and wave, or brandish their flags as I glide by.

“How do you like my boat?” I call. Sofa crafts are so comfortable. Why don’t I see more of them?

Out, out, out, I soar beyond the buoys; until I find myself in open waters, but I’m not afraid knowing my ship will keep me safe.

Dolphins, their bodies shimmering gray, crisscross my bow. “Where are we going?” I ask.

They answer telepathically, “Be patient. Let your imagination lead you.”

While I am eager to discover new vistas, I am happy to stay here adrift in pristine waters, the sun warming me, gulls wheeling in a brilliant sky, waves lapping, matching the rhythm of each breath. Am I dreaming or is this a meditative state? Om, om, om, I invite my muse to join me. “Send me a sign.”  

A great skipjack tuna leaps from the sea, and a cat appears. A cat at sea?  Another oddity?

No, it’s my cat, Sammy. She’s ready to reclaim her spot on the couch.  

This post was inspired by a writing exercise posted by Amber Starfire.  http://www.writingthroughlife.com/