CROSSING OVER

Say good-bye,
show me your love.

As you hold my hand,
my heartbeat softens,
eventually,
stops pulsing. 

When my terrestrial days finish,
shadows lurk in my life’s darkness
where only memories remain.

Flashing before my very eyes,
my entire life is replayed
in mere seconds not a lifetime.

A welcoming staircase appears,
dropping from the cloudless blue sky,
as an invitation from heaven.

I wondered if this was a dream,
everything looked familiar yet,
I’ve never been here before,

Once I arrived,
the gates opened.
I felt as if God embraced me,
with His heartfelt warmth and presence.

I was greeted
by past faces
of family and friends
from years past,
as if they knew of my coming.

From all those who remembered me,
tales of me were shared between tears,
and through all their muted voices.

Then I heard His thundering voice
welcoming me to my new home,
with a liturgy gifting peace.

So here I am now,
finding my way,
around here. 

I feel lost,
finding myself,
in a new shadow
of my former self.