we gonna get the dream

Since I am seemingly on a national monuments kick, I suppose I had better tell you about my morning.

First of all, last night I said good night and good morning to the sun as it travelled behind the Washington monument. Last night we had practice -- it was a very beautiful evening. First the sun set behind the monument, a huge glowing soul as we battled it out in our scrimmage (what? just 'cause it's rec doesn't mean it ain't vicious). Then on the other side, the Capital was lit up. And stretching we looked up, the moon glowing above as I struggled through another set of crunches...

Went home, finally sleeping after midnight, my alarm set for half past four...

The metro opens at 5. I was on the first train. I take secret delight in early mornings. I saw three extra hours that day and they were the most beautiful part of the day.

I was actually attending an ANZAC Day dawn service at the Korean War Memorial. I arrive a bit late, having got a bit lost on the way. So I missed most of the service. If I had gone down there just for the service I think I would have regretted my lost sleep.

But then I climbed up to the Lincoln Memorial.

Everyone should go there at sunrise at some point. See it for yourself.

Take the advice I took from the self-prooclaimed hippie up there that morning..."We have a dream, we are gonna get it this time...we have been waiting too long...hey darlin' come up here, right to the top, oh you can sell that photo. you know that is gonna be worth money that is. here, line up the tower*, that sun moves fast. see, the light is gonna come straight through that window, oh yes, there it goes, right there, doesn't it move though...yes, we gonna get the dream this time...honey, we gonna win...don't worry i'm just a leftover hippie from the '60s..."

She left, dancing down the steps, holding onto her pink hat, it was quiet.

I turned around, stood in the temple. Drowned my eyes in golden light, then sought out the shadows in the back, the layers of darkness crowding in as the gold slides down over the marble.

It was so empty. Two security guards on their phone. One or two Australian visitors, in blue military uniform, taking photos with their sweethearts. They left.

I stood in the cool, read the words. The other weekend I had not read them. Too hot, too many people. Then turned, and looking back to savor every changing moment of light and shadow, gold and marble, walked down to greet the day.


* I have never noticed this tower before. I am not sure if it only appears at sunrise.