How I Think of Heaven

I see riots all across my country on tv-
demonstrations against the death of a black man
at the hands of a merciless killer 
as his partners looked on, doing nothing.
I see people losing control in riots and
demonstrations that should be peaceful, turning ugly

Then I think of Heaven. I know that it will be a place of peace. -
a place where everyone is seen through the spirit,
for it is with the spirit of Christ’s love that those in Heaven
see each other. Love does not discriminate
based on color, race or sex.

Our loved ones -friends and relatives – will be with us there.
 Those who repent of their sins will feel their Father’s eternal love,
for that love will emanate to all who are assembled
in that place of peace and love called Heaven.

There is no angry shouting in Heaven; nor is there the placing
of blame on others; There is, instead, instinctive understanding
and compassion for all, for as we stand with our sins revealed,
we will know that none of us were perfect in this earth life.
We will finally grasp forgiveness. . .
we knew it all along.
We simply had forgotten it as we grappled on this earth 
with our faith and/or frailties and with our travails.

I believe that Heaven is our home we will return to,
because for now, the veil has not been lifted.
Many things we’ve learned on our earthly journey.
I like to think those things that we enjoy here
will also be waiting for us when we are in Heaven.
It has to be a place of beauty -
a beauty of both sight and sound, and of taste and fragrance.
We cannot even imagine it.
Maybe there are colors we never have yet seen.
Maybe flowers there sing!
Maybe we will speak telepathically. 
Maybe we will try food more delicious than we ever tasted.
Maybe artists paint there; composers write music, dancers dance,
and poets are there too flowing with their musings.
All people’s skills and talents will be utilized
for the benefit of Heaven’s countless communities.
The infirm by then will have been made whole.
We will rejoice to see them this way
and to see the obliteration of all anguish.

My mind goes back to the riots on the news.
Bullies, cowards, and the evil-doers with their gluttony of sins -
if they are in Heaven -
their lessons will have to have been learned,
for mayhem is of Satan,
and mayhem cannot exist in the place of peace and love.

May 30, 2020
For the Heaven Poetry Contest of Regina Riddle

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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Date: 6/4/2020 4:00:00 AM
This is a relevant take on the present scenarios in our world. Thoughtfully done. Congratulations on your win Andrea :)
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Date: 6/3/2020 8:40:00 AM
Wow! Congrats! Indeed, heaven is a place of peace and love. God bless you.
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Date: 6/2/2020 10:43:00 PM
Congrats on a great poem! So true! Yes, heaven does not discriminate! Very relevant to the present and a lesson for the future!
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Date: 6/2/2020 10:06:00 PM
Andrea, congratulations on your first place win! High five to you! "Mayhem cannot exit in the place of peace and love." is a profound statement.
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Date: 6/2/2020 7:32:00 PM
Congratulations on having this wonderful poem win First Place Andrea. It is really excellent! Blessings xxoo
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Date: 6/2/2020 7:25:00 PM
Andrea, This is a incredibly good poem. I thought it spoke so much truth with love.. Thank you for entering the contest and congrats on placing so highly. Bless you always with love, Gina
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Date: 6/2/2020 6:54:00 PM
Yes! In a world of unrest, heaven awaits. Great writing here, Andrea. I really enjoyed reading. ~Elaine
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Date: 6/2/2020 3:59:00 AM
A opus of love. Why does heaven have to wait? Kind wishes, Kai
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Date: 5/31/2020 5:47:00 PM
Andrea, you have painted a picture of perfection and the invitation that is extended to every living soul. It is a picture to keep before us as we see "mayhem" and "murder." Best of luck and blessing for the contest.
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Date: 5/31/2020 1:50:00 PM
Ask any surgeon to define the difference after slicing through the epidermis, yet even the 2020 Census designates race rather than DNA; rather silly when we all descend from one African woman! After people accept that, perhaps we can make Heaven on earth! Aloha! Rico
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Date: 5/31/2020 6:39:00 AM
I like your take on the contest theme, Andrea. You gave voice to the current situation in the context of heaven..and it resonates.
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Date: 5/31/2020 5:49:00 AM
Sad situation, and it will happen time and time again.. if only heaven could be a place on earth..
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Date: 5/31/2020 5:14:00 AM
Yes, I like the way you expressed what it would be like in Heaven...for that is the goal to achieve on Earth...Certainly not our generation but sometime in the future...
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Date: 5/31/2020 1:43:00 AM
Wow, this is spectacular Andrea. It is also how I feel so I can relate to it perfectly. It is very sad what is happening on this earthly plane right now, but being positive and continuing to pray helps more than most would imagine. I love this work of art Andrea and I just know it will be right at the top of the winner's list. Brilliant! Blessings xxoo Please post this at PFT.
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Date: 5/31/2020 1:12:00 AM
You have made this so timely, with regards to the tragic death of George Floyd. You have painted a picture of heaven as the place of forgiveness, unimaginable joys, love, beauty, and most of all peace. This is sublime, my friend. This is excellent free verse, and it moved me. All the best in the contest, I do believe you have written a winner ~ John
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Watt Avatar
John Watt
Date: 5/31/2020 1:28:00 PM
This makes a great candidate for POTD as news of riots in the streets turn our thoughts to the peacefulness of heavenly realms.
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/31/2020 11:30:00 AM
thanks my friend. For me it's more like prose, as most of my free verse tends to be but I appreciate your kind words.
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