The Tree of Dreams, by Mary Featherstone

Broken Dreams, by Karen Underwood (England) 2012

The Tree of Dreams

Fruit on the tree
Turns to ash
And spirals
Slow and graceful
on the morning air
settles on bent shoulders
the silver powder
of broken dreams
The hand flicks
the coat-sleeve
Plants another sapling
in the turf of faith
Wonder as it grows
Deny as it withers
Dismiss as it dies
Then move on easy

Damp roots preserved
Under the dust
Of memory
Embers fanned
Of hope long gone
For a moment
Cold smoke
Chokes the lungs

A thousand
Shades of grey
Dance in the air
Carpet the ground
Strange beauty
At the end of dreams
Says we managed to hope
All this, for a while
And when our spirits
Ride the ash
Of earthly dreams
To heaven
Hope is not found
Among the trash
We’re asked to leave
Outside the door

Mary Featherstone

Mary Featherstone is a retired arts administrator based in Paris, France.  An Anglo-French dual national, she moved to France from the UK over 35 years ago. Having spent much of her life enjoying connecting artists together and promoting the work of others, she is now finding time to develop her own writing. She recently retired from her role as administrator of le Pavé d’Orsay Arts space and is a member of a Protestant church in the Marais district, where she volunteers in various capacities, including helping with meals for those experiencing homelessness.