Forever And All Time

I had a dream the other day That I walked along a road, And came upon a man who worked At a place where water flowed. He smiled and spoke in gentle words, 'Come now stranger, tell me true. Are you the one to take my place And is my work now through? ' I said, 'I really could not say, ' As I knew not where I go. Or even where I journeyed from, This place, I did not know. 'Oh well, ' he said, 'It won't be long Till my work is done, someday. I've waited here two thousand years, So what's another day? ' 'You see the planks I laid? ' He said. And I said, 'I really do.' ' I lay them for my friends to cross So they might start anew.' 'For on the other side you see, Is the place where I shall go. I even cut my own good plank But I can't lay it though.' I said, 'I just don't understand.' And he tried then to explain. 'I'm waiting for someone to come, The last one down the lane.' 'For he alone will lay my plank As I cannot lay for him. I must complete my father's work As I wait just for them.' 'And when he comes, I then will go Into my father's land. And then the souls of all good men Who crossed will take my hand.' I said, 'What then, will come of him Who labored and did for Thee? ' He said, ' That of the souls of men, He's special, don't you see? ' 'He's the one who shall remain, Forever and all time. For he's the one my father chose To rest here so sublime.' 'To not return from dreamer's land As others always do. But to remain forever here As all his dreams come true.' I asked if I might lay His plank And he smiled and said, 'You may.' And so I took His plank in hand And tried so hard to lay. Alas! I could not lay His plank. And He said, ' It might be you. You're not the first in dreams to try To have your dreams come true.' 'It's only when your soul returns, When your body dies one day. That you will know your fate for sure If you should come this way.' I said I really did not know Of the fates, which I desired. He said, ' The only fate to dread Is the one that Satan fired.' 'But I will tell you true my friend. Whichever way you may go; You can't get there by dreams alone - It's living life, you know.' I asked if He'd prepared for me, 'A new sturdy plank today.' And He just smiled and turned and said, 'You best be on your way.' I then awoke from this fine dream To a better life for me. And now I know what to expect The afterlife to be. I've wondered if He made my plank, Or will I rest so sublime. And always see my dreams come true, Forever And All Time.