Molly's Dream #2 [by Molly Arden]

Molly Arden dreamt that she was living in a city she didn't recognize, it was either Morgentown in West Virginia, or Reno, Nevada. A fast, cold river ran through it. From a stone bridge she saw men in yellow rain slickers working on a dam. The Spanish poets she was staying with were a lively bunch led by someone like his friend Victor Cruz, but not Victor. They were looking forward to performing an oratorio for two voices that she had written about the river. The Victor who was not Victor had already arranged for a young poet to perform one voice, while Molly performed the other. They were going to stand up to their waist in the river and perform for the men on the dam and the audience on the bridge. The day before, a friend of hers had flown in from San Francisco. She was a well-known poet and a powerful performer who wanted to do the part. She spent a great deal of her time since arriving to town on her cell phone, while studying the river, the men, and talking about her troubled life in San Francisco. Molly was conflicted: she had promised the part to Victor's friend, and now she had someone else for the part. The cell phone saved her. "I have to go back to San Francisco tomorrow," her poet friend said, "but I would like to go for a swim in the river." Despite Molly's warnings, the poet went in below the bridge and swam against the roaring water. She came out wet and happy and Molly drove her to the airport. The oratorio was going to be performed as originally intended, all that remained was writing it. She woke up to do just that.

Comments

[The Best American Poetry]

Thank you, Molly. Everyone including me had a friend named Victor Cruz so I can relate. -- DL

[Dharman Sing]

I like Molly's poetry, and I think I like Molly. Is she single? Does she teach something somewhere? Anything anywhere? I would like to take the class. I have a good voice, I danced semi-professionally at Joe's Revue in Cleveland, where I met many famous people whose voices I can imitate. I'm a strong, healthy male with most of my hair. I take care of myself with unguents and ointments recommended for virility. Some people think me witty. Molly seems to like rivers: I am a strong swimmer.

Dharman Singh

[The Best American Poetry]

Molly is reclusive but permits me to say the following: she is married; she has taught (classics) but for many years; she does like swimming, opera, and wit, and she appreciates your gracious comment. -- DL