Heaven

catapulted by a magic trampoline I pass the gates of heaven no border control free passage no taxes or dues the ticket collector gives me a simple stamp on my bare skin not that I need a mark because I would never wish to return single journey one way traffic green pastures an usher solemnly points towards my way to a place on the stage actors do not require a script for free play and rescued distortions a backdrop of innocence and the prompter speaks in a whisper play nicely children remove the shackles make love and not war virgin or not heteronormativity lies discarded in the dressing room and nude I stand before my kind maker who is herself fully naked no sovereign no subjects and utopian anarchy surprisingly works and therefore I join a happy crowd devoid of race gender and class rainbow flag no manifesto quiet surrender the dress rehearsal had not fulfilled its promise and false acclaim killers of pleasure had taken firm control over freedom by decree now avarice gluttony and sloth have themselves been extinguished the cross is now turning full circle on a swift pivot of bloody ascent debating chambers of justice abandon positions of Ego and power second chances golden mean trinity of fortune Mary soothes the Buddha’s sores as an elephant’ trunk trumpets Poseidon in a water park flooded by Gaia with love and compassion Athena has laid down her weapons into a heap of rusty scrap metal Jesus joins forces with Socrates on an ecumenical market place fig trees and grapes and the serpent has chocked on temptation earthworms dance to the tune of Asclepius’s rod bar of the snake apologies accepted unconditional prayers humanity dispensed a Pagan witch cradles her broomstick and rides to stellar delight cosmos flowers spread their seeds on plough shares of worship a dragon fuels the hearth as she tames wild winds of destruction bees feed nectar to those in need of nurturing care and embrace an octopus open his arms to the meaning of the eightfold path dolphins jump high onto Phoenix’s wings in transcendental flight exude joy as they collect drift wood sea shells pebbles of wisdom honest acceptance peaceful humility emotions in reason and yet as I reflect on my task sourced from terrestrial struggles I realize that heaven should not wait for postmortem examinations in the here and now of doubt and failure I must make amends 02nd June 2020 N/A in Heaven contest sponsored by Regina Riddle