A HAND TO THE OTHER SIDE


As the words are spoken
Misunderstanding begins and the turmoil begins
Eyes become clouded with tears
Drops fall down the sides of your cheeks

Where does the pain stop and the joy return
The sun sheds its warmth without discrimination
She leans up against the fallow tree
Her back curving to it gently

Was the shooting star that she saw last a sign
Many have thought so in their imaginings
Still she feels distant from the world
As she does not belong

Another place or perhaps time
Would be more suited to her
Can there be change without motion
Her eyes close slowly, sleep

In a circle about her
They stand tall, women and men
Swaying and singing in a language, she does not understand
Their hand held high into the air

What are they calling, bringing into her life
Night has fallen
There is the light of a small fire nearby
They become shadow and light

Faces almost discernable
The lines of their bodies take on forms
Alien and recognized
The singing turns into a chant, melodic

She falls back as the tree vanishes
With her head now on soft grass
Wet with dew, deeper into sleep she withdraws
The people disappear into star light

A hand reaches down to her
She looks up taking the hand in hers
�Yes, I am ready to cross over to the other side�.
A smile is returned to her

Together they walk
Gathered by light and happiness
All the painful words ever spoken gone
She is complete and filled with joy

Michael V Hechtman Copyright � 2001