'Great day for the Empire'

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I dreamed this one when I was at school, though not in class I hasten to add.
I seemed to be present at the launching of an early steamship. A warm afternoon with hazy sunshine, a band was playing, and the many people milling around below seemed in good spirits, some cheering. Next to me was this grey haired man of military bearing. I remarked, "I’d always imagined these ships to be black but this one is brick red". He laughed, then turned and said, "It’s a great day for the Empire!" Then I woke up.

(Sold from the Studio Gallery Los Angeles 1999)