I met an old man in the park’s dying light
His eyes kind and bright; his hand waiting fast
We shook as he asked, “If with you it’s all right
“Wanna hear what I saw when I passed?”

“Last weekend, my heart quit, but soon my dear wife
Restarted my ticker! She knows CPR
Before coming to, I saw some queer sights
You ain’t gonna reach by no car!

“Saw hell where the dress code ain’t meant for no prude
But nudeness, they hollered, is never permitted
All garb must be racy, risqué, or plain lewd 
Since modesty’s purely forbidden…”

“And next I saw heaven! Less strict than you’d guess
All dress there must highlight one’s beauty with flair
Its duty: to accent God’s Image the best
Armani could never compare!”

“Hell’s speech code is clear, ain’t no way to refuse
No courteous or cordial exchange is endured
Just cursing and gossip and God’s name abused
Complaining and slander and slurs…”

“But speech was plum peachy on those Golden Shores
For never “is heard a discouraging word”
All words are affirming; pure kindness outpours
‘Til goodness ‘n love are upstirred!”

I rode many waves as I pictured such visions
First shock… as I saw myself comfy in hell
Then peace… as I vowed to make flightpath decisions
Not caring ’bout oglers, I yelled…

“I’d best now get ready before the long rest
Today, I will start! Gonna dress for success
Gonna tame this ol’ tongue for that place to obtain
Where each sight and each sound will impress!”

He raved, “I’m relieved you believe my true tale
May God keep our robes for the banquet fresh-laundered
I’ll see you again once we’ve passed through the veil!”
He waved and then onward he wandered

Plump raindrops soon soaked all my musings of wonder
Loud thunder arm-twisted my feet quick to burst
Mid-sprint, I debated whose ways to live under

For better or worse

Which fate, then, to choose?

Whose love, or whose hate, to rehearse?