Today, I am in bed
In my very own room
In my very own home
That I have created

I might get myself up,
Make coffee, and
Come back here to write,
But not yet

First, I want to imagine
What happens when
My heart says stop,
And my breath lets go,
And the traveler
Within me carries on

Able to replay
Any story in my life
Like a roll of music
In a player piano

I go back—waking
To summer’s heat
In my childhood home
With no plans but fun

I go back—washing
Dishes, anticipating
Taking his hand for
An after-dinner walk

I go back—gathering
My baby in my arms,
Putting her in the sling,
Ready for adventure

I go back—lying
Beside you, talking,
And then easing
Into blissful silence

From where I am now,
I picture each scene
Exactly as it happened

Then I see my father
And my mother
And my son
And my friends
Already on the other side

Having figured out
How the music
Keeps on playing,
I go back and forth
And return, free
Wishing everyone
In this wild world
Could be

written for All Souls Day

The books of stars. One of the stars in the apse belongs to ACJ. #230