The day I’ve “shuffled off this mortal coil”, and on my way (1)
Soon pushing up fresh daisies to be picked
In case my love ain’t perfect, for my soul, I hope you’ll pray
For I’ll have bought the farm; the bucket kicked
And speak of which, I won’t forget my heav’nly bucket list
I’ll show it to the Father to inspect
Aware that soon He’ll give me His own list (of greater bliss!)
Before I check things off, with Him I’ll check
Then first, I’ll thank my parents for transmitting God’s own caring
Relay what I’d not time to say on earth
They’ll share inspiring tales; how heav’n conspired toward their pairing
We’ll bare our souls, our woes there turned to mirth
I’ll scoop my dad and sibs a treat they rare-to-none indulged in
While earthbound (lest their stomachs groan and scream)
Some ice cream, then I’ll gladly watch them, eyes and bowls a-bulgin’
And a “Domino’s” (quite literally) Supreme (2)
My sibs I’ll know much better than while in this vale of tears
No worldly, time-bound worries to impair
We’ll share life’s sprints, and walks, and crawls; our prides and joys; our fears
Their dreams of which I was not then aware
Next on the list, I’ll find both grandmas, whom I never knew
And hug them! Oh, the stories they will tell
My mother’s dad will share some hairy tales from World War Two
My father’s will spin charming yarns as well
I’ll gather heaven’s orchestra and choir unsurpassed
Then summon Bach and Handel to the stage
Engaging them, “Sirs, please conduct Messiah… Please, your Mass”
Each maestro then would give God all the praise
Another item on my list may shock or make you pause
I’ll hunt for those who hurt me, or annoyed
Lambasted, blamed, or blocked me for no reason! Why? Because
They taught me how to love, and hell avoid
With perfect love, our joy will be to play, create, and tarry
Within the Heart of God, the Father’s House
To laugh with Saints; to flourish in the nurturing of Mary
To dine where host and server is The Spouse (3
Heaven’s bucket list has goals we had not thought nor dared
It bears no end; its splendors will not cease
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it been conceived
The things prepared for those who love the Lord” (1 Cor. 2:9)
So run the race
Your pace increase
To reach that place
Of grace- What joy!-
And never-ending bucketfuls…
Of peace
*****
(1) Shakespeare, Hamlet
(2) “Domino’s” means “The Lord’s” in Latin
(3) Luke 12:37: Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them (ESV)
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 