Eternity

Photo by Alex Grichenko

I could see the constellations
in the sparkle of your eyes.
I assumed that you were ready
to behold the brave o’erhanging firmament
the majestical roof
fretted with golden fire.
I thought that I could teach you
the music of the spheres.
Would you like to see
the universe tonight—the one
that spreads its blanket 
of a billion starlights over us?
Quickly the lights flickered from your eyes.
Sadness spread across your face.
You clutched your little arms
to heart. Not yet. Not yet. Suddenly, as grandmother,
I understood. Three year olds
have only just escaped the Void
into this Consciousness.
They are not ready
to look back just yet.
We older wiser souls are no longer afraid.
We eagerly let our thoughts fall up
into the welcoming arms
of forever.
At our age we can finally
bear the wonder.

Used by permission of the author.

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About Dorothy Fletcher

In 2007, Dorothy K. Fletcher retired after 35 years of teaching English in Jacksonville, Florida, and discovered life as a writer. Her poetry had already appeared in 78 literary journals, magazines, and anthologies when she became a monthly columnist for the Florida Times-Union. A collection of those column essays became the book, Remembering Jacksonville and, since then, Dorothy has published 4 more books about Jacksonville. Dorothy and her husband Hardy continue to enjoy retirement with their children and grandchildren nearby.
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3 Responses to Eternity

  1. Luisa Lawrence-Riseman says:

    Beautiful and thought-provoking.

  2. Pat Setser says:

    This poem shows that you have always been wise about death and eternity. Your poetry about losing someone or learning to accept loss has always touched my soul.

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