A Dream / Fenton Johnson

A Dream


I had a dream last night, a wonderful dream. I saw an angel riding in a chariot— Oh, my honey, it was a lovely chariot, Shining like the sun when noon is on the earth. I saw his wings spreading from moon to earth; I saw a crown of stars upon his forehead; I saw his robes agleaming like his chariot. I bowed my head and let the angel pass, Because no man can look on Glory’s work; I bowed my head and trembled in my limbs, Because I stood on ground of holiness. I heard the angel in the chariot singing: “Hallelujah early in the morning! I know my Redeemer liveth— How is it with your soul?” I stood on ground of holiness and bowed; The River Jordan flowed past my feet As the angel soothed my soul with song, A song of wonderful sweetness. I stooped and washed my soul in Jordan’s stream Ere my Redeemer came to take me home; I stooped and washed my soul in waters pure As the breathing of a new-born child Lying on a mammy’s breast at night. I looked and saw the angel descending And a crown of stars was in his hand: “Be ye not amazed, good friend,” he said, “I bring a diadem of righteousness, A covenant from the Lord of life, That in the morning you will see Eternal streets of gold and pearl aglow And be with me in blessèd Paradise.” The vision faded. I awoke and heard A mocking-bird upon my window-sill.