Beyond The Portal

What awaits beyond the portal
where fire burns at the door
souls wander near
as their names are called

a lone soul a stranger among many
walks towards the portal
within the fiery door
she looks in, in fear

there she sees a distant mountain
serene with snow capped peaks
and a lake of tranquil blue
reflecting a sky of azure

she wants to walk into it
her body is old and broken
she does not want to go home
she wants to go beyond

she glimpses men and women
children boys and girls
young, pretty and healthy
walking in beautiful gardens

Not time yet, return says the voice
reverberating through the heavens
she wakes up on her bed and weeps
she is still sick and broken

she wants to go beyond
quiet she waits
on her sick bed.