The Gates of Paradise - a promise to a friend

A Promise to a Friend

Please don’t be sad, my friend, but I must go.

The days allotted me by God have run,

And he has called me home to give account

Of my poor life.

And sadly I leave this life, yet gladly go

To my reward.

But I have erred, and sinned, displeased the Lord

Through mortal wrongs

And risked a sterner judgment than I’d hoped

But this I trust shall be a saving grace:

That I have loved my fellow-man,

And friendship is another word for love.

And you I number dearest friend of all –

How we have loved each other through the years

Talked away hours, chatted through the night

Put right the wrongs of earth and man

Explored our souls,

And tried to understand the mind of Him

Who rules us.

So now I go

But this I promise you, my dearest friend:

That I shall wait for you:

Before I go in to that wondrous place

I’ll find outside the walls a shady tree

And sparkling pools where for a while I’ll bide.

The waiting shall be little sacrifice

For I must be the one who welcomes you

When, in good time you come to join me there.

I’ll wipe your brow and ease your thirst

Bathe you in crystal waters

Comfort you - my friend.

And then – the final act ordained by fate

For we must gaze upon the face of Him who made us

And I would stand beside you when we do

So shall we rise with gladness in our hearts,

And side-by-side we’ll go the final mile

And hand-in-hand as friends we’ll walk

Together

Through the Gates of Paradise