Mini-Opera Competition: The Sweeper of Dreams

THE NEVER-ENDING DREAM

by Lauren Walter

My entry into the English National Opera's Mini-Opera Script Competition, based on Neil Gaiman's The Sweeper of Dreams.

Synopsis: A woman in love with her dreams tries to hold on to them until the Sweeper of Dreams gives up on her. Realising the consequences of her decision, the woman pleads for the Sweeper to return.

THE NEVER-ENDING DREAM

You're gone.

I never knew that you were there,

but now you're gone

It seems like everything I've done

has turned out wrong

And I'm hoping ...

I'm hoping ...

I'd depend on you to wipe away my fears

Stop me from falling, slay the demon, slow the tears

You cleared away the debris left from my nightmares

Once I'd brushed the sleep out of my eyes I'd have no cares

But then the dreams no longer gave me such a fright

Slowly my demons disappeared during the night

Then light and laughter, hope and love had come my way

All I was missing in my mundane everyday

I was happy there, I saw him when I dreamed

Thought nothing could come between us, or so it seemed

Until you burst in and tore everything apart

I'd count the hours to twilight when my dreams could start

I'd make excuses to return to my fantasy

Re-scheduled my life so I could go to bed early

I forced myself to sleep, tried to force the dreams to stay

I'd squeeze my eyes shut but you'd still sweep them away

Then the next night came, and my lovely dream returned

Though somewhat colder than before, and somewhat blurred

But I clutched my dream - I watched it playing out

Dreading when you, dear Sweeper, would wield your clout

You stole my happiness, returned me to my strife

You swept away my image of the perfect life

I held on to my visions, fought till you were gone

And now you're sweeping somewhere else: yes, I have won!

But I am anxious, I am angry, I'm afraid

And the people here are all some sort of shade

They don't see me, they stare right through me, glide on past

Oh how much longer is this torture going to last?

I don't want to be like those that I have seen before

The ones who scream obscenities at every door

Those who respect you often whisper: "Is she all right?"

I need to see the end of this terrible night.

Your departure keeps me trapped within my mind

I thought that I could leave all of my dreams behind

But now I know the reputation you have earned

Only you can stop this, so I'll wait till you've returned

I want to see you sweeping all the fog away

I want to wake one morning to a brighter day

Help me escape this curse - grant me reality.

Dream Sweeper, please come back to me!