Rapture Prayer

. . . and if it is to be

that today the world

will cease to spin

for just a second, long enough

for a select few to get off,

lord,

let me be smiling when it comes;

let me be joyous and doing good.

No frowns,

no hatred,

no despair;

no loneliness,

no anger

hate or fear

should linger in my soul

when the passageway 

opens up.

For no one should carry sadness

to the Other Side.

And if by chance

you and I 

should meet on these same streets

tomorrow,

let me be smiling when you come;

let me be joyous and doing good.

No frowns,

no hatred,

no despair;

no loneliness,

no anger

hate or fear

should linger in my soul

when I see your face

again.

And if we live with that

in mind,

we can make heaven here on earth,

for all time

as long as time

shall be.