I dreamt last night of Morocco

by Garrett Haake | 2008

I dreamt last night of Morocco
A land burnt by African sun.
The Saharan heat of Morocco
Would be felt til my errand was done.
I stepped ashore in Tangier in my dream
On a ship from Gibraltar I came.
A hold full of dates and Toledo steel
I risked Barbary pirates to trade.
In the Bazaar I met with a man from Rabbat
His family had hailed from the west
My Arabic rusty, his salamu alaykum
I answered in French 'midst the press
Under shade none too cooling
In my dream we arranged
A trade –steel for camels –
And dirhams exchanged.
Cross the desert that night, we set out for Fez
As the wind turned hot to cool
On my camel I sat and watched as the sun
Disappeared in a shimmering pool
Through night we rode in my dream of Morocco
I've never seen so many stars
Like Berber tribesmen we trudged along
The desert as barren as Mars.
When weeks had passed and I set sail for Spain
I knew I would not be the same
I had discovered an impatient romance for Morocco
A love that I could not contain.
I dreamt last night of Morocco
A place that I have never been
When I finally visit Morocco
Will it be as I’ve seen in my dream?

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