The Dreamer
     by William Johnson
       (approx 1930)

Two men sat in the evening
  by the fireside's cheery glow
Watching the ghost of shadows
  that flickered too and fro

Each pulled on his pipe in silence
  their minds were far away
On a mountain they had climbed together
  to watch the close of the day

Alike were they as two brothers
  in all things excepting the mind
For one recalled the glorious sunset
  the other-- only the climb

And when they had at last reached the summit
  the heart of the one knew no thrill
For he saw mountains, just that, nothing more
  the other, a creative will

When up from the far horizon
  billowing clouds had come
To the one they cast welcome shadows
  to the other they but hid the sun

One saw in the storm's wild fury
  part of an infinite plan
For he had the soul of a dreamer
  while the other was only a man

To him life is but a treadmill
  with no beauty to lighten the pain
He sees not the far horizon
  for he n'eer looks up from the plain

To the other life is like a highway
  and his joy in it knows no end
Each turn but hides greater beauty
  each person he meets is a friend

Oh God let me be the dreamer
  with eyes to see deep in the day
Who can look at a man and see more of the soul
  and less of the common clay

That I might know joy in sorrow
  and in all things see the work of thy hand
Yes God let me be the dreamer
  and let someone else be the man