Words

In the infinite blackness of lights and shining stars
Does the solitary watchman sit
With his brazier burning; warming his hands -
Turning over theologies and the glowing coals...

Or is there perchance some caring nurse doing the rounds;
Going with lighted candle and reassuring words -
Forever with a gentle hand upon the ward...

And maybe too, a brace of jolly policemen on the beat
With friendly nods and timely counsel -
To keep the evil-doer away...

Or is it only squadrons of heavenly riders
Storming ever onwards with their flaming swords -
And no time for foolish sentiment...

Or is it only fireworks?

*

Tonight
In my own black night of light and stars
I sit and softly stroke my dear daft father's pillowed head
And think
Upon the meaning
Of his last and scarcely whispered words...

Jesus is coming

______
gw2005

I find these last words extremely interesting because my father, who lived as a boy and young man in probably the highest house in Wales (on the slopes of Snowdon above the Rhyd Ddu Slate Quarry), was a victim of countless hellfire and damnation chapel sermons about the sins of the flesh. He went to chapel and back in the inevitable rain over the rugged mountainside wearing his sister's boots. He finally escaped on a bicycle he bought with his first week's wages. He always said: When you're dead you're dead. At the end there is only oblivion, is what he meant.