THE SWORD BRIDGE
By John Herlihy

I
Scripture mentions a sword bridge that spans Hell’s abyss,
In order to enter heaven you must cross without stepping amiss.
Anxious souls cross the bridge slowly their hearts in their hands.
The hours of life flowed through the isthmus with the fleeing sands.
Hoary beasts and fiery fiends want to drag the faithful down,
The screams and tortures of the abominable everywhere abound.
Hopeless sinners appear from nowhere reaching for the bridge above.
They have fallen in agony down from the bridge with no hope of love.
Who would have guessed every human such a trial must pass,
As they went about their lives the wealth of the world to amass.

II
Scripture also mentions what we sow, this shall we reap.
It is an adage on our lips that we pay lip service to keep.
Today who really believes such things and takes them to heart;
We have power and money to play with and think ourselves smart.
We are riding the tiger without realizing the limits of the hour;
We want whatever we can get just to gather more power:
Shiny cars, designer clothes, and seaside mansions exhibit style,
Deluding people into thinking the world will last a good long while.
Our actions are accumulating effects like so much excess baggage,
We are left with an emptiness that cries out like a jungle savage.

III
Scripture warns humanity with verses of essential guidance,
Surrender to the one Reality and bid other gods good riddance.
Why do we worship the ephemeral things of this world,
The stone idols of money, fame, and youth as in the days of old.
We should love others, help the poor, and forgive to gain mercy,
Have tolerance, value patience, repent our evils to become worthy.
Scripture clarifies the challenge we face between good and evil,
A challenge that humans have faced since the time primeval,
The difficulties we face here on earth are our defining human issue,
Good and evil intentions wave before our eyes like a veil of tissue.

IV
Some souls will cross the sword bridge hanging by fingers and toes,
Reciting from memory a long list of unmentionable evils and woes.
Some souls will cross the sword bridge fearfully looking down,
Their hearts in their throats and their faces wearing a frown.
Some souls will cross the sword bridge without a care in the world,
The actions of their lives will wave like the Lord’s banner unfurled.
Some souls will cross the sword bridge like birds in the air,
They flew through life’s turmoil on wings with incredible flair.
Some souls will cross the sword bridge as the faithful spirits they are,
They will run into the paradise light-footed across the distant stars.

V
Remember the sword bridge when you lay down to sleep,
Recalling the day’s promises you have failed to keep.
Remember the sword bridge when you wake up tomorrow,
Spend what you have without having further to borrow.
Remember the sword bridge when a friend asks for a favor,
Give what you have; there is a blessing in charity to savor.
Remember the sword bridge when life asks you a question,
Your answer will become your most revealing expression.