last & first things -- free verse celebrating the passage from life to life

moments ago
I was walking
last thing I saw
were faces pale & worried
staring down at me

but what is this
where is this
where am I
what is happening

standing alone
on a mound of dry sand
I listen
and wait

then I hear or see it
can't really tell
everything is strange
so different
yet oddly familiar

darkness is shouting again
screaming insistently
always craving
everyone's full attention

but another sound
another voice
also can be heard
soft like spring rain
gently it sings

I like the song

I always prefer
a good melody
to enraged screaming
to incoherent ranting

so I give full attention
to the sounds of light
the gentle laughter
the swelling waves of joy

my feet become infected
with the music and light
they begin to shift and move
lifting, prancing about

then my shoulders
start to rise and turn
first this way
then that way

my hands are clapping
and tears are streaming
down from my eyes
tears of rushing joy

I'm dancing out loud
laughing with the light
singing the joy
celebrating the song

darkness enraged
and then terrified
scrambles to get away
unable to remain or speak

when face to face
with perfect life
and dancing joy

I hardly notice

I'm dancing and singing
turning and stepping
clapping and reaching
caught up in joy

no longer alone
I notice the others
bright lights rejoicing
soft voices singing

praising the One
who makes us dance

the One who saved us all
the Son eternal
the everlasting Lord
Jesus, Messiah, Savior!

I finally realize
that I've been in transit
and where this must be
and who these others are

I can see that the party
the one real party
to end all parties
is just beginning

Jim