in a dollar store in new york
i buy toy soldiers, a box for $5.50,
green plastic GIs and blue japanese
w/ long fingers & toes, webbed almost,
made less than human by the manufacturer.

there's icebergs in the harbor,
a security camera over my shoulder
where we sit to eat, lakeside in the mountains.
i sing about the pioneers who arrived
when it was dry but overnight rains
persuaded them to stay, created the lake.

i click off the camera but it comes back to life,
walks around on remote control tripod legs
and barks like a dog. we ride a bus out of there.
i forget my suitcase on board and going back
to get it it splits open and i search for a strap.

we're north of where we want to be
with an hour and a half to wait...

~dream