There may be a Power much greater than us all

Watching our fumbling progress through life's tortuous way,

Smiling when we think we "fly", watching when we fall,

Like parents watch naughty kids with mounting dismay.

So if Thou are out there - whoever Thou might be -

Remember I am, because you made me who I am.

Before you judge me, please accept this humble plea:

Hear me out, that's all I ask, before you condemn.

Judge me not for how I lived, nor the way I loved;

Judge me not for what I've done, or the way I missed.

Judge me not for why I stayed mostly un-beloved,

Or on account of the women I ever kissed.

Judge me not for hurts I caused, for the words I said,

For the way I sniggered, smiled, laughed or cried out loud,

Nor for the way I clowned around or remained sad;

Neither for being humble, nor for being proud.

Judge me not for weaknesses, why I was not smart,

Why instead of picking gold only dirt I shoved;

But judge me by the pain I carried in my heart

For the memory of all those I ever loved.

When all is said, all is done, let judgement commence.

Let me leave this earthly plane, let my journey end;

Let me quietly slip away, without pretence;

Without leaving behind a footprint in the sand.

Then with the slate erased, may lightning strike me hard

Between the shoulder blades, where my wings might have been;

Leaving the roots of wings ghastly black, burned and charred.

Upon my eyes may eternal darkness convene.

Then let my soul rise to reach bright eternal light,

Gently let it melt into the bosom of Thee,

- Allowing to shed, discard all its earthly blight -

To unite with the Dreamer who dreamt about me.

© P. J. Oszmann (2003)