I brushed an old man in the park’s dusky light
His eyes kind and bright; his hand waiting fast
We shook as he asked, “If with you it’s all right
“I’ll share what I saw when I passed!”

“Last Friday, my heart quit, but soon my dear wife
Restarted my ticker! She knows CPR
Before coming to, I laid eyes on 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 and kindness outpours
‘Til laughter ‘n praise are upstirred!”

My feelings evolved as I pictured such visions
First shock… as I saw myself happy in hell
Then peace… as I vowed to make flightpath decisions
Not caring ’bout oglers, I yelled…

“I had best now get ready before the long rest
And I’ll start right away! I must ‘dress for success’
I will tame this ol’ tongue for that place to obtain
Where each sight and each sound will impress!”

The old man replied, “Friend, such glory’s in store!
May God keep our robes for the feast freshly laundered
I’ll see you again once we’ve stepped through death’s door!”
He waved and then onward he wandered

Plump drops, rudely soaking, awoke me from wonder
My feet had me bolting as thunder out burst
Mid-sprint, I debated whose rules to live under

For better or worse

Which fate thereby choose?

Whose love, or whose hate, to rehearse?