Some dreams just stick with you.
I was dropped off at an island with just a bag of my choosing, along with hundreds of others. I had the impression we were gathered from our homes, placed on a ship and dropped off to fend for ourselves. None of the others wanted to stick together, so I looked inland and found a temple or pyramid of some sort. The distance would only take a day’s hike or so, so I set off.
There was a lot of vegetation, tall slender trees, hanging vines but a clear path. I could hear others crashing through the Island’s brush around me. Someone would grunt or shriek and silence. I kept my head down and plowed over, under, through wood and stoney obstacles.
Finally made it through, scratched and bruised but whole. I was at the base of this temple. A door or arcway was open so I walked through. The atmosphere was of an open marketplace from ancient times, foods and wares hung from ceilings and flowed over tables. I didn’t stop, instead, finding a steep stairway at the center, I climbed.
There were many levels I climbed, different wares on each floor. I didn’t know where I was headed, just that I had to get to the top and not be distracted by the amazing items surrounding me. Many of my compatriots stopped, to disappear into the morass of people.
Finally I was at the top of the temple, sore and worn out. A young man was at the entrance of the bright, sunny temple plateau. He reached for the bag at my side, asking “Do you really need that here anymore?” He gave a full, gentle laugh. I realized there wasn’t a reason to carry it now. Handing it over, he gazed into a shallow pool, leaning on one arm, amusement filled his face as he gestured into the happy populace.
A rather large muscular man, probably of hawaiian or samoan descent, laughed at my confusion, waving a hamhock of an arm towards the center of the plateau. People were sipping from tall wooden cups, there was filmy fabric waving in the breeze merrily, some were dancing, others lounging at the long, narrow pool in the center. We arrived at a slightly raised platform at the center.
The most beautiful woman I had ever seen glided towards me, gently laughing at my continued confusion. She took my face in her hands, gave a penetrating gaze into my soul. Suddenly opening her arms wide, I could tell she was athletic and fit. she laughed again, turning 360 degrees, placing her hands back on my face and proclaimed
“You are named Noe!” She laughed again and shouted at the populace “He passed the Gardens of Earthly Delights!”
Everyone gave a joyous shout, the large man grabbed me under my arms, ran towards the edge of the plateau opposite from where I entered. His other hand grasped a zipline and shouted at me over the wind “DO YOU TRUST ME?” He laughed gregariously as we zipped past trees, brush, birds to a sandy shore.
A warrior was frantic, brusquely grabbing shoulders of revelers along the shore, yelling “DO YOU KNOW WHERE NOE IS?!”
The large man laughed and genially yelled back, “NOE is here, Warrior!” The warrior ran and stumbled to me, relief washing his face as he looked at me.
I woke up and researched what Noe means. Noe means comfort or peace.
Brick ONeil 