Walking to Paradise

©2004 Tyrone Vincent Banks

I see a vision

Clear as if seen by my own eyes

The cold rain strikes to pavement

Like the tears of the ones who will miss you

Invisible footsteps splash through the surface of scattered puddles

I see the outline of your spirit created as the rain cascades off of your form

I can hear your voice

The voice that comforted others as you suffered discomfort

I can see your smile

The smile that you smiled in spite of your struggles

I can see your hands

Hands that influenced to fate of others

Hands that carried your little one through the sun, the rain and the storms

Hands that would try to do for others in spite of your pain

I can hear your voice

The voice of an Angel

Your harmonic rhythm and words that attach themselves to my heart

 and to the hearts of others.

I remember the first day that I met you

I remember the conversations

I remember how you loved your husband

I remember how you cared for your son

I am seeing you from the other side

You walk towards paradise but you continue to look back

You do not want to go but you must

My brave warrior

My brave sister

My brave friend

My cheering section…

I can remember our last conversation from your bed in the hospital over one year ago

I can remember how you told others of my writing

I’ve been loosing a lot of people lately

Some unborn and some who were alive

You walk through the rain that fell on the night that you crossed over

You realize that your journey has concluded and another will begin

You feel the warmth

You feel the fingers and hands of paradise grasp you

Those that have passed on before you await your arrival

Know that we love you and together, as a family, we will get through the pain

And remember you for all of eternity as that person…

The one who inspired others

The one who did make a difference

Walk into paradise and join the chorus of Angels

Sing loud and please the Lord

For your struggle is over now my cousin

And as I said to you as your soul prepared for its departure that evening -

We will see each other again.

Dedicated to Victoria Mendes

Rest In Peace.