DREAM-CHILDREN - A Non-Entry
(After Charles Lamb’s Prose Revery)
One cold night as I dozed in my bachelor’s chair
While the flickering firelight flung shadows around
And the sparks from the fir-boughs flew up in the air
Like bright soldiers who march but to die without sound.
I was dreaming of Alice who I’d loved to wed;
Courted her but was spurned after seven long years.
She took up with another as husband instead
Yet I neither condemn her nor smother my tears.
As I half-slept in comfort in my lonely room
Two young children appeared, standing close by my side.
They arose like a mist coming out of the gloom
And surveyed me most mournfully, eyes open wide.
The girl was like Alice. Her dark hair, her eyes,
Her expression so like, it was hard not to feel
That my Alice had come to me. Oh what surprise!
I could not but believe that this vision was real.
And the lad, who at me looked with such solemn gaze
Was, as though in a mirror, myself I perceived.
The resemblance exact could not fail to amaze.
In the dual re-presentment I firmly believed.
“Who then art thou?” I whispered. So melancholy,
Neither spoke but without speech they strangely impressed.
“We are not of your Alice, nor are we of thee.
The children of Alice her husband has blessed.”
“We are nought; less than nothing, but dreams - less than air.
We are only what might have been and we must wait
Over millions of ages - existence to share
And a name, lost when Alice declined you as mate.”
I awoke and was quietly alone in my chair.
The fire had burnt low and the room was serene.
Neither vestige nor sign of that heavenly pair -
Just the sadness they left me for what might have been.
Hugh Wyles, May 26th. 2004.
Author notes
It is a sad but beautiful prose work of Charles Lamb and two short but equally beautiful orchestral miniatures by Elgar which have inspired me over a very long period to write this poem. I hope I have captured something of both the prose and the music.
If I were asked which was my favourite of all my poems, this one is my choice.
Written May 29th, 2004.
And almost three years and over 500 poems later, this, of all my poems to date, still ranks highest in my affection.
Written May 16th. 2007.
In a list
A contest entry
- It's Creative Writing Day at the Old Folk's Home! (For those aged 35 and over.) by Yemassee.
350 points, ended October 11, 2005, 10 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - "MEMBERS OF HUGH WYLES FAVOURITES GROUP ONLY" No. 12 by huguenauties.
750 points, ended May 30, 2007, 19 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - CONTEST #29 FOR HUGH WYLES FAVORITES ONLY! by huguenauties.
750 points, ended March 1, 2008, 14 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 50 of 50
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Hauntingly beautiful!
I believe our dreams to be yet another reality, and your poem just drove that home. Sent a shiver up my spine. You write like a poet of old, so much so that it's like reading in a time long ago. You have more talent than you might even realize. This is stunning and it will stay with me long after the dark falls here.
Hauntingly beautiful!
Grant is calling so I must go for now, but I have enjoyed our meet so much. Hope you got my application okay. I'm honored to join your fan club. Thank you!
Love,
Kelly
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I'm back to re-read this most precious poem once more. I do love it so much, it will always be my favourite.
With love
Bea
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Complicated, yet Beautiful
Hugh
Well, another fine poem/story you have penned here. I love the concise and condensed write and felt the emotion of the narrator pour from the pen. Melancholic and musical. Beautiful. Rhytem is flowing and the imagery is excellant. CanM't think of any other criticism to write in this chronic critique.
Gregg
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What is that famous line, "The saddest words of cats and men, something, something, it might have been." What was that line? Anyway, that applies it. I've done my share of "what ifs" some with women I've known, and no matter how old, there's always a touch of that melancholy there.
Now, how do I get rid of it?
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AWWWWW I'm pleased you've re entered "Dream Children" it's my favourite one of yours.
Love Hine.
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Wonderful poem.
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OHHH Hugh
This is one poem of yours I found when we first met and I've been back to read it several times.
It's so beautiful and is one of my favourites too.
Love always
Jen XOXOXOXO
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Dear Hugh,
I'm so happy you have chosen to enter "Dream Children" in the contest. It's always been my favourite and I often go back and read it.
A very endearing poem my dear friend.
Love Bea XOXOXOXO
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Dear Hugh,
As you know, this is my favorite poem that you've written, too! It's a poem that, once you've read it, it stays with you and you don't forget it (I haven't..that's for sure!).
Love and Hugs,
Maureen
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Thank you for taking the time to enter. We appreciate your talents. Best of luck to you
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Dear Hugh,
I know I have read this some time ago, but evidentially was sidetracked before I could comment on it...
What makes a poem the "best" we have ever written? After reading the entries in this contest, I have to wonder if "best" and "favorite" aren't sometimes confused. I'm not entirely sure we can pick our own "best" poem, because some poems carry much more weight and meaning in our own minds than they ever will in someone else's. You've written so many brilliant poems...and even among the ones I've read, to pick out a best would be next to impossible for me to do. But this poem...well...I see so many layers to it, and feel such a deep sorrow for all that might have been, I could not argue against it being your very best. And that is what makes me believe good poetry will always be about emotion even more than it is about imagery, form, and meter. But when all of that is found in one poem, it really does go from good to brilliant...as this one does.
I do wish your entries weren’t always "non-eligible" in the huguenauties contests, as this would definitely have my vote, and it is very deserving of another trophy. I thank you for sharing this with us in the contest though. It reminds me once again of why I first fell in love with your poetry.
Love ands
~J.
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I remember this poem and can see why it is still one your favourite
Sad, and yet has a very soothing feel.
Great choice dad
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Dear Hugh,
As you already know, this memorable poem is also my favorite! You have every reason to be very proud of it!
Love and hugs,
♥ Maureen
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This is one that I remembered the minute I read the title. It is easy to see why it ranks high in your affections. What a haunting and unique story it depicts! Beautifully crafted in meter. My applause.
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It's hard to believe I missed this hauntingly beautiful poem before, and I'm glad you put it in our contest. Itmeant me catching it and enjoying the wishfulness, the poignancy of this tender piece. I can see why it's your favorite
love and
Dee
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Glad - Like applause!
Wow, where did all the repeats come from?
Glad I came here.
True, the real pleasure was in reading this very special poem! Most unusual, and spiritually satisfying!
Terry -
Glad
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Glad
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Dear Hugh,
Having read this beautiful Sonnet many times before I still can't help but love it as being my favourite poem you have written. It is so heartwrenching but very touching for him to be visited by the Children that would've been his if he'd won the heart of Alice.
Still it wasn't meant to be.
very touching dear Hugh.
Love Jen.
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Of all the work I have read of yours, what a task to choose your most favorite. Your historical writings stand out foremost in my mind...but this, Sire...this surges from your heart.
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Dear Hugh
I am so pleased that you've entered "Dream Children" in the contest.
It's always been my favourite and I often go back and read it because it's so beautiful.
Love Bea
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i really liked this one. glad to see it was a trophy winner! SO PROUD OF MY GRAMPA!!!!! its easy to see why its your favourite. it is beautiful!
loves ya.
Til
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Dear Babe,
OHH this is my favourite too. I love it so much and it's sad in one way that he missed out on having these beautiful children and yet happy in another way that they came to him. It's so very endearing my friend and I can see why it's so special for you. And the might have been, could have been.
Love Hine.
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Beautifully written about a life that could have been but was never meant to be.
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Dear Hugh,
I would find it very difficult, from your corpus of Historic Epics, Opera Stories, Maori Poems, Patriotic and War poems, not to mention your Wyleian Sonnets and philosophical writings or your many humorous essays,
any single poem to choose as "the very best" you have ever written.
It is interesting that you hold fast to your opinion of this poem as your favourite - a choice which I cannot dispute.
Applause, love and regards as always, your friend and admirer, Heathcote.
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This my dear Hugh has got to be one of the best poems I have read on this site to date. It is tender, touching, and ethereal! It speaks to the heart of what "might have been". There are times when I wonder what would have come of me and the first beau I thought I'd die without. Needless to say, I am still alive and with the person I am destined to be with. I look at the faces of my children in dreams and while wake and see me and my husband mixed. Most say all my children look like me but I see Ray in them as well. This is a poignant work of word-art and rhyme. I so love this poem. Your dream is the epitome of life, love, and loss. Brilliant, and Bittersweet!
Much Love & Many Blessings ♥
Renee
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Dear Hugh,
Your beautiful poem has inspired me to write a poem for poetryality's favorites contest. Her instructions were to pick one of her favorites from her favorites list, then pick one of their poems and write a poem inspired by it. I chose this poem because since I read it, I've never forgotten it.
Love and hugs,
Maureen
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Just dropped by to read this once more.
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Dear David,
I am gratified that this poem, which I still consider one of my best, appealed to you and thank you for your insightful comment.
Let it not be said however that my historical narratives are entirely "one-dimensional". In history, as in art, there are almost always underlying dimensions and messages which mere surface interest cannot disguise to the perceptive student any more than the upper strata deters the serious archaeologist.
My humble attempts at recording history, art or opera stories in verse cannot remove or hide those other dimensions which I hope would be still apparent to all but the most superficial reader.
Regards, Hugh.
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What the nominator thinks - My choice of a Poet was easy as I consider him the best
as far as I'm concerned. The two I have chosen are my favourites. Although all of his poems are great and poets would learn a lot about history by reading them. The poem is a very endearing one about a man who's girl married someone else & the spirit of the children he would've had with her came to visit him in a dream.
Congratulations! This poem was nominated as one of the two best poems on this site for a favourites comp run by D P Robertson. You were nominated by Angelica
What I think- This could very possibly be one of the very best pieces you have written and that it stands head and shoulders above some really magnificent pieces makes it all the more special. Like many of your pieces they are inspired by either historical events, pieces of art or something from the classics. It makes some of your work interesting but nonetheless, one dimensional narratives- albeit very good ones but they are simply read on a single level. This is actually quite different in as much as Hugh Wyles the compassionate human being is infused throughout this beautiful piece and laced emotion not often felt to the same depth in other pieces. Needless to say the structure, metre, word choices are all an object lesson to any wanting to write this way. But there is a genuine sadness in this beyond melancholy. There is a sense of loss so tangible and so heartbreaking that it drives at the very soul of all who have loved and lost and will never fully recover and be whole again. Superb writing.
“I awoke and was quietly alone in my chair.
The fire had burnt low and the room was serene.
Neither vestige nor sign of that heavenly pair -
Just the sadness they left me for what might have been.
That’s is such touching melancholy.
David
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Just had to come here and read this tonight, it's my favourite too, everytime I read it I fall in love with it more and more, it's so beautiful. I love reading throught your poems
Love Jen
Edited on Jun 05, 9:26 because ''. -
The memories come flooding back of what might have been.
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Awwww! What might have been and may never be seen in ether reality. That would certainly shake me up and leave me somewhat bereft. "Revery" is a very apt term for this write. I appreciate the dream-like quality and the emotions it evokes.
Karen
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Dear Yem,
Which was the 19th Century? Is that the one with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Humpty Dumpty? Or is it the century in which they discovered the last banana tree in the British Empire and PLAYBOY Bunnies were invented?
Thankyou for the Silver Award. (It shows that I'm not alone in my insanity when I judge this as my best work.)
You may now kiss my daughter.
Thanks and regards, Hugh.
Edited on Oct 11, 6:46 p.m. because ''. -
Congratulations on silver Hugh, this is really deserving of notice!
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Splendid. I could go into why but that bores everyone, it's just an excellent tone, with the right amount of wonder. As Margaret said, this has 19th century written all over it...and it's my favorite literary one.
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Dear Hugh, this reads like a poem from the 19th century, with the archaic diction and details of the fireside setting. It is sad, but not painfully so, since these ghosts were fantasy and had never lived. I enjoyed reading this, thanks very much.
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Your poem "Dream-Children" was submitted in my contest: “Favorite Poem By Someone Else” ( allpoetry.com/Contest/774706 ). Should it win, I will run it in the “Featured” box for 10 views. I hope it will receive much deserved attention from this event. Congratulations on being sponsored in the contest, and best of luck to you.
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Dear Maureen,
I am very deeply touched that you have remembered this favourite poem-child of mine which I had thought forgotten and forsaken. I am so grateful to you for giving it new life and commend you for selecting what I consider the best of me.
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh. -
Dear Hugh,
I was thinking about the best poems I've read on AP and I remembered this one so nicely written by you. If I can, I'm going to enter it in a contest (the contest is currently listed as closed although it was just posted today). A memorable poem (and for me, with my bad memory, that's saying something!)
Love and Hugs,
♥ Maureen -
Hugh -
I understand this feeling well. I often wonder what if. what if I had said yes instead of no. Would I be a mother and to how many? I now have been blessed with many beautiful children to love and care for. Of my flesh? No. But mine to love all the same.
this is so beautiful.
susan -
splendid
Hugh How beautiful!!!! You have captured that oldpoetry syle that many cannot attain.My favorite book is THE BEST LOVED POEMS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE,that was a gift to me from my mom at the age of 16.I'm on my 2nd copy which is on its way to having to be replaced.Why the style of todays poems differ so much from today is something I can't answer.They have a simplistcity to them that draws me in and leaves me in awe.Not that I'm saying all todays poetry is bad its just different and i think you have captured the oldstyle in this piece.
Here I am rambling in the wee hours. xxoo Jacki -
this piece is simply enchanting!! so sad and so beautiful. a fascinating story you have woven.
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EXCELLENT! Lovely Poem!
Very beautiful and very sad! I got chills reading it! (That means I was touched emotionally by it.) "The saddest words of tongue or pen are these four words..it might have been."
Very nicely done! BRAVO clapping loud and long
Love and Hugs,
Maureen
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excellent~
An ethereal dream-like melancholy poem this is
I must of missed this one sweets
My Lord its so beautiful
And as Joan says
It is written so wonderful
Awh
Mist of wispy vapors appear in thin air
Love love love this one sweets
Love you too hun
Susan~~~
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As we know too well what might have been Hugh, I can understand this beautiful poem you have written, such a beautiful but sad dream to have, at least he saw them. Wonderfully written my friend~Lovesya~Joan
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This is touching and lovely and thought provoking. A definite dream-like quality and I love the puzzle that unravels as I read. This final edit shines with evidence of your continual polishing.
I applaud the touching imagery with which you deliver your message.
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This is really beautifully done. Sad, but a pleasure to read.
Sam
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Hugh, this is so melacholic and yet so beautiful! Somehow gave me a feeling of calmness. I think it has to do with the way you put the words together and the lovely imagery of that dream.
Very, very nice poem!
Kisses, hugs and love,
Mari
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I am trying to come up with a comment that will do this beautiful piece justice. I find the "what might have been" theme quite sad but it is a wonderful write. Well done.
A big hug - Anne
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