Dreamcatchers in a Garden.

This poem was created for Ariel Tavares’ “Garden Of Dreams” exhibition at The Graduate in Providence, RI.

I had the privilege of participating in a workshop series with other dope poets led by Ariel.

Throughout the course we shared dreams, silly lines, serious thoughts and emotions, along with time to write and reflect.

One of her prompts and part of her vision was to create a recipe poem involving the concept of dreams in some way. It made my brain hurt (in the best ways). Which led to the creation of “Catching A Dream.” through much brainstorming and a few drafts as the submission date got closer. And I have to say, she brilliantly and lovingly presented each submission + all other things involved (photos, media, arts and crafts amazingness, etc) to really create a garden of dreams. Super honored to have been a small part of this. And now my words have been up in The Graduate, so that’s fire and something I’ll be forever grateful for.

I met some poets, reconnected with others, started some fun drafts/ideas, opened my heart a bit and let my soul flourish through the pen.

BUT either way, I got creative with “Catching A Dream.” and had some fun! Hope you enjoy! Check it out below:

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Catching A Dream.

Preamble

Before you read this and think “finally, I’ve always wanted a pet dream to cherish and call my own”, I need to substantiate what this is and what this isn’t.

This is —

A brain fart of some silly man who understands that water may not like being in a container that isn’t Earth itself.

This isn’t —

Science.

This is —

The Jurassic Park franchise; a fictional practicum researching how to revive the past into modern times and evolve it.

This isn’t —

Gospel.

Prep Time: 3 failed attempts (or more)

Cook Time: 15 min

Cool Time: Up to 5 years (yes, it’ll stay fresh)

Servings: If done right, Hammerspace (like Sora in Kingdom Hearts)

Ingredients:

• 1 heart of edible gold

• 2 cups of self-doubt

• 2 cups of self-confidence

• 4 ears of whispering haters

• Salt and pepper

• 1/2 tablespoon of insanity

• 5 cups of questions

• 2 lemons

• 5 reasons to keep living

• 1 (or more) person(s) to share with

Step 1

Pre-heat your easy-ribbed oven to a feverish 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 9-by-13-inch baking dish with 2 cups of questions like “what if this doesn’t work?” and “what if it’s too late for me?”

Place small pot to boil with salted water (salted like the sea, don’t be one of those people) and heat a pan.

Step 2

Lightly massage heart of gold then place in a bowl with marinade of equal parts self-doubt and self-confidence, 1 ear of whispering haters, 1 lemon (because life gives those sometimes), 2 reasons to keep living, and 2 cups of questions like “if I don’t believe in myself, who will?” and “what if I can change the world?”

Hearts of gold take on flavor easily, so marinating for 5-10 minutes is fine, but no more than 20 minutes (trust me, the average heart can only soak in so much).

Step 3

While heart of gold is marinating prepare remaining ears of whispering haters into quarter-inch cubes, cut 1 lemon in half to zest and squeeze later, the other half to cut into slices, and dice 2 reasons to keep living.

Place cubed ears and diced reasons in boiling water until tender. Usually 5-8 minutes, depending on the level of haterade in ears and years of wisdom in reasons.

Step 4

Gently remove heart of gold from marinade and pat down excess sauce before softly laying it in a pan to sear both sides for 1 minute each. Transfer to baking dish and finish in oven for 10-13 minutes or until glistening & glittering.

Step 5

While heart of gold is cooking, zest your half lemon then direct attention to pot.

Remove a 1/4 cup of the water then strain the rest. Mash the contents while pouring water back in slowly, squeeze zested lemon half, add salt and pepper (and season to taste with other preferred seasonings).

Step 6

Pull heart of gold from oven and let rest for 3 minutes.

Plate mashed medley and sprinkle lemon zest.

Plate heart of gold with lemon slices and lightly dress with 1/2 tablespoon of insanity.

Step 7

Gather your person(s), your final reason to live, and remaining cup of questions like “what if my dream isn’t really meant for me?”

Travel to location where your dream is known to manifest and wait.

Your dream will smell your heart of gold from miles away like a magical unicorn shark. Whether it ignores it, inches closer, or calls out to meet somewhere halfway, that’s out of my hands.

Just wait. Your person(s) are there for moral support, really; sharing the remaining cup of questions, and keeping your last reason to live intact because the wait can be brutal.

Millions have died before successfully attracting their very own dreams. That’s why they’d rather help someone else with theirs. That’s why they’d rather leave their heart of gold unseasoned, unmarinated, untouched. That’s why few speak of what magical unicorn sharks feel like. That’s why science tries to splice genes together and skip steps. That’s why faith kisses those who keep trying.

If your dream doesn’t appear, return the next day at a different hour. Don’t worry about freshness of the meal, it can last 5 years through various conditions. A heart of gold with the right care doesn’t spoil easily.

And whatever the size of the dream, this plate will be enough. It will replenish itself as long as you remain on this Earth.

Just wait.

Put the work in,

and wait, trust me.

Magical unicorn sharks feel like damp tree bark coated in melted cotton candy and they smell like sea foam on sad rusty buildings that even hurricanes can’t tumble.

At least mine does.