THE SECOND WORD

"Today, you will be with me in Paradise."
Luke 23:43

“Jesus came to visit,”

I nodded at Grace, hospital covers pulled up

She lost among them

The beeps of machines, measuring heartbeats and breaths,

And wires, wires everywhere and tubes more concerned with urine output.

The things we measure!

Counting them,

Giving them value

To pass the time.

 “Did he now,” I smiling, taking her hand, careful, surprised at its strength.

She sits up giving me a start. Staring, staring deep into my eyes.

“He’s coming to welcome me home.”

Home?

All smiles, Grace.

Nearing death, but not fearing it,

All peace having tasted the vision, the still waters,

her soul restoring,

She, seeing something in my eyes. It’s OK, she says.

A promise is a promise.