Tonight I Lie Dreaming

   Today I had to look up the difference between to lay and to lie. The problem comes, for me, when to lie becomes the past tense lay. Confused? So am I.
   I decided to play with the concept of laying and lying, so I wrote a poem.
   "Tonight I Lie Dreaming" is the title. That is present tense. Last night I lay dreaming, is past tense. Now I lay me down to sleep is also present tense.

Tonight I Lie Dreaming

by Zach Knell

     Tonight I lie dreaming, as every kid would

     The reason is simple, though not understood.

     Why in the night do our minds come alive

     And color and movement and music arrive?

     The world is harmonic with sunshine aglow

     Water is clear, through it's rapids we row.

     The leaves on the tree often shake with the wind

     Not violently, softly, our fears they rescind

     No you can't move mountains though people have tried

     But surely in dreams I can push them aside

     I fly in the air full of lucidity

     up and beyond and past infinity

   

     If only, if only, in dreams could we live

     The sins of the past we could better forgive

     Tonight I lie dreaming, as every kid would

     The reason is simple, everyone should.

    

    

    

    

    

Zach's Concert

Zach and Ben opened for the opening act at Provo Beach Resort last night. They are amazing--dealing with a new venue, loud interference from outside sources, and the pressure of having to fill 45 minutes. 

Zach is multi-talented, Not only is he working on The Six Towers novel, he writes songs, sings with Ben in their group Lane Ends, and plays a terrific game of basketball.

It was great fun to see Zach and Ben do well last night. Of course, I long ago realized that when he performs there is no one else on the stage. I can see only him (or, whatever grandchild is performing at the time). But they sound good, look good, and are increasingly comfortable.

I keep thinking about Zach's grabbing hold of something he likes to do and making it happen. That's a skill that will serve him well for a lifetime. I also think of those who give him opportunity. Hurrah for the band that asked Zach and Ben to do 45 minutes before their main event.

Zach and Ben first performed in a public situation four years ago when they were 10. Then they played and sang in their young boy voices the two songs they had written at that point. Now they have written many songs, recorded a CD, and put together 45 minutes of good music. And now they sing in man voices. Their blend is terrific and their harmony delightful. They were good then, they are even better now.

Congratulations Zach and Ben! We hope there is much more to come.