Word to the Masses: Dream Interrupted

Monday, May 30, 2011

Dream Interrupted

Hotep,

“Leroy Mann, report to the sergeant’s office.” The distortion of the walkie-talkie was clear in my mind’s ear. A dream easily becomes a nightmare when you have to wake up on death row. It’s my opinion that dreams exist for the sole purpose of discovery. Real talk.

Recently, I dreamt that I was doing crunches on the beach. I could feel the summer sun challenging my skin’s melanin. The scent of the salty ocean overwhelmed my nostrils as my back pounded the hot sand beneath me…” 98, 99, 100.” I was at peace, feeling freedom in its truest essence. Na mean?

My dream was choreographed by a screenplay tentatively titled, “Carnival,” a creation by the accomplished playwright, Ms. Nikkole Salter. The proud recipient of “The Global” and “The Drama League” awards, Nikkole took me on a trip to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

I must admit, I haven’t enjoyed reading a play since I was in high school. MacBeth, The Miracle Worker and Beowulf were epic literary works indeed, but Nikkole’s “Carnival” is the first play that I’ve read that didn’t have a definitive protagonist. I didn’t realize it until I completed the reading. As I went through the pages, at no time did I feel like something was missing. I gotta tip my hat. The girl got skills. Word is bond!

I don’t know if Nikkole has always dreamed of being a writer, but her literary works are that of someone who loves what she does and to me, that’s living a dream. Ya heard?

“Leroy Mann, report to the sergeant’s office” interrupted my dream of freedom and tranquility. As I open my eyes to life on death row, a revelation comes to mind:

“If it wasn’t for my struggles of yesterday, I wouldn’t be the strong Mann that I am today.”

As long as I keep waking up, I’ll always have something to write about. My dream of being a world renowned writer is happening as you read this. You’re reading a dream that is interruption free. That’s what’s up!