The Visit

I lightly dozed,
an open book on my chest,
the kitty lay purring beside me…
when laughter rang out…
I woke up with a jolt.
I knew I wasn’t alone.
Stunned from shock
when I opened the door,
my visitors were those
who’d gone on before.
A miracle, they’d returned…
arose from the dead.|
Tears coursed down my cheeks,
as I hugged each one close,
"Is this real? Are you here?"
Joy deluged gloom
where sadness had dwelt,
replacing the darkness with light.
The vivid scents I had missed,
drenched my memory like rain…
clove oil, tobacco,
gardenias,
and bread,
powder,
and lemon verbena.
Smiles, giggles, laughter
a communion of words.
Making up for lost time,
hungry eyes drank them in…
filling voids in my heart
that formed when they'd left.
A chill entered my thoughts.
How long would they stay?
Would they leave as quick as they came?
A part of me knew
heaven’s veil briefly rent,
to permit us this lovely reunion.
In the moment it took
to rub my eyes
they stepped back through the veil…
withdrew from the voids…
dimming the light
once more.
It was dark when I woke…
it was only a dream…
My head ached
from the force of my sobs.
Why had they come
just to leave me alone?
Perhaps they meant
to help me believe…
that we’d all be together again.
It was their way of saying
all was good, all was right…
nearby, they're waiting for me.