The messenger

I dreamed I came upon a meadow

sunlit and fragrant, a small dog at my side.

As we walked on in silence I saw

across the blue ribbon of a river, a field,

where animal spirits licked the morning dew

from brilliant poppies ... basked in sunshine ...

batted at butterflies. 

"Is this Heaven?" I asked.

He nodded yes and as we rounded a bend in the path,

I saw ahead a wondrous garden

surrounded by a halo of mist,

where animals and children lay among the flowers.

Cool breezes rustled leaves

and over all hung an aura of beauty and peace. 

"Is this Heaven, too?" I asked.

"An honored place," he said, "for those who lived

a Hell on Earth - who died of neglect, torture,

unloved, unwanted and abandoned." 

We walked on until we came to a precipice

that overlooked a dark canyon.

Lightning crashed above the horizon

and illuminated iron prisons on the desert floor.

I heard the wails of captive men,

the screams of women imploring for water,

railing against the absence of Light amidst an acrid smoke. 

Before I could ask he answered, "These were their tormentors." 

We continued solemnly

until the sound of laughter and music greeted us,

and we came upon a village square,

where carefree women, children and men played at games,

or walked arm in arm.

"They are happy," I said.

He agreed and replied, "These were their rescuers.

They are blessed above all." 

I spent time among them until I awoke, bathed in a new peace.

For no matter what this Earthly day may bring,

I knew that no wrongful deed goes unpunished,

nor is any saving grace without its reward. 

I hugged my small dog closer to my chest

and blessed him as a messenger of truth and love. 

(Jim Willis, 2001)

*****

I would like to thank Jim Willis for his kind permission to publish his writings on my blog.