THE VISIT

I was walking on the beach one night,
When I heard a voice that said,
"HEAR ME, MY SON, THIS IS YOUR GOD!"
Its thunder filled my head.

"YOU'VE LIVED A VERY SPLENDID LIFE,
I HAVE FOUND NO FAULT, IT'S TRUE,
SO I OFFER YOU THIS SPECIAL GIFT,
I WILL GRANT ONE WISH TO YOU."

At first I thought I'd lost my mind,
Hearing voices in the night,
But then (I thought) it could be Him,
(My heart beat fast with fright).

"WHAT IS IT THEN," the thunder spoke,
"THAT I MAY DO FOR THEE?"
"Oh Lord," I said, afraid to look,
"Could I be twenty three?"

"TWENTY THREE!" He roared it then,
"I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND,
FROM WHERE I SIT, I WOULDN'T THINK,
YOU'D GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN!"

I trembled at the ire I felt,
That I'd invoked in Him,
But I thought He'd meant what He had said,
And so I tried again.

'You see, Oh Lord, it's just this way,"
(I could feel Him stare at me),
"There is this very special girl,
Who's just turned twenty-three."

"And I really hoped that You would help,
For I'm certain You can see,
How my chances would be well improved,
Were I the same as she."

At that, deep silence filled the night,
And his voice seemed dulled with pain,
"WE ALL FIND PATHS WE CANNOT WALK,
PLEASURES WE CAN'T ATTAIN."
And then, a pause, and His voice grew soft,
And the skies held a pastel glow,
"WHAT A SHAME THAT I GAVE MAN A HEART,
ONLY TO HURT HIM SO."

And now His voice grew heavy,
And laden with deep remorse,
"I CANNOT GRANT YOUR WISH," He said,
"FOR IT WOULD ALTER YOUR LIFE'S COURSE."

"BUT I OFFER YOU MY SOLEMN VOW,
A PROMISE FOR ALL YOUR YEARS,
IF YOU CANNOT HAVE HER THERE ON EARTH,
I'LL FIX IT, WHEN YOU'RE BOTH UP HERE!"