The Doubter's Prayer

There were two Emilys who wrote. One never saw a moor; The other did. But of their fate Both Emilys were sure. One sensed the chart to heaven. One saw heaven's glories shine. Now, short of time and frail of faith, I turn to the divine: O God who made me, if you hear Petitions such as this: Please spare me an infinity Of vague eternal bliss! There can be nothing heavenly Behind celestial gates Unless reunion with those dead So dear to me awaits! If souls need brainwaves to exist, If love with bodies dies, In mercy, choose oblivion To be my paradise.