Precious hours

 In the precious hours 

In the precious hours 

Before the soul has left the body

After the heart stops beating

As the flesh grows colder. 

The soul looks round 

At friends and family gathered

Warmed by prayers and thoughts

Moist from tears. 

The soul is first in limbo

Caught between the worlds

Unwilling and unable 

To bid its farewell yet. 

But soon it must release its grip

Fly away as the coffin’s dropped

Taking note of plot and number 

Of the body’s deep eternal slumber. 

Then off it peels into the galaxies

As cosmic dust from where we started 

In a spiral that grows forever

Encased in memories like a lover. 

Don’t pray for me for I’ll be fine

Keep me in your heart, that’s all

Harvesting the better bits

We had some fun you may recall. 

I’ll think of you on your journey

That all men make to the stars

Do not fear the final furlong

Into the Light and blinding glory. 

Keep dear Teilhard in your pocket 

De Chardin’s vision in your shroud

His sweeping arc of goodness

Enfolding an eternal promise. 

Embracing all the universe