Rough Road

"Ad astra per aspera" means "rough road leads to the stars." A literal
translation is "to the stars through severe hardship."

I petitioned the angels
and pled for my soul,
while I waited at the altar
in the church of childhood.
Their faces mocked me.
Suffering children are
safe in nobody's arms.

I climbed the constellations,
but did not reach God's ear.
I fell short. I landed hard.
Now I leave absolution
in the midnight sky.
And place my feet
on solid ground.

Redemption draweth nigh.
Raise the windows.
Lift the sash.
Be ready. Be ready.
Keep oil in your lamps.
And wait inside the wind
on a bed of softest rain.