‘It doesn’t matter that

we standardised hats,

it’s OK- we allow you to dream.

We don’t want you to hate us

you should be proud

of what you’re allowed.

For you must obey

the words that we say,

it’s OK - we allow you to dream.

    For the moment.


The voice continued.

Dennis closed his hands

over his ears.

‘It is OK for them’

he said.

‘I am not allowed

to have my photograph taken-

a mere substrata-

You are not allowed

to know what I look like.’


Like a ten year old kid

watching his older brother

Dennis stared at the frosted 

window.



Dream words that swirled

and worlds that whirled.

That will never be released.


Rod White

Rod Zimmerman 5/4/99