Copyright © 1990-1998 by S. A. Joyce

REASSURANCE

 

O my beloved, be not afraid of death, for thou wilt not be alone.

 

When thy time is nigh, close thy sweet eyes and put thy gentle hand in mine.

I shall walk with thee to the door, and we shall embrace.

As thou turnest to cross the threshold, put out thy other hand

to those dear ones who are gone before thee,

and who wait for thee with loving arms outstretched.

 

And when after a time my own turn is come,

I shall rejoice, knowing thou wilt be there to greet me!

AUTHOR'S NOTE:  Some have interpreted these lines as religious in nature, though in fact they are not.  They make no allusion to deity or afterlife, but simply to common elements in what are called "near death experiences."
= SAJ =