On my way to heaven I stopped to say hello

You were going the other way

I thought you might be

for a while we traveled together

and you tried to drag me down there with you

astonished at the gates

I saw there were no flames

no broiling heat arose

no wisps of acrid smoke

sulfuric on my tongue

white vapours played like shadows

against the wall dark

reflections of soul-sucking vampires

and cold so deep I felt its pull

and pulled away

let go your hand

before I ventured forth

too close to turn

though you would drag me there

against my will

I chose redemption

safety, a heart full of glory

joy overflowing in the light