A friend sleeps br In a midnight tree house br But I lie on my back br And count the dancing stars, br The illuminated souls br Drifting in timelessness. br br There is so much suffering br Every day in the superficial rush br To measure time by success, br But I’ll return again br Thousands of years from now br After I’ve learned br To love and to smile. br br I’ve known great artists br Who closed their eyes prematurely br At the zenith of their creativity, br And I’ve known children br Who’ve died in the crib br Or in automotive accidents. br br Life is the fragile gift br That is only on loan; br While I’m here, br I’m trying br To put my heart and feelings br In a poem. br br Read me in a quiet place br Where your soft tears br Can fall from vulnerable eyes br Upon my lonely page. br br Everything will be redeemed br And nothing will vanish br Into the oblivion of insignificance: br Eternity will find us br And embrace us br In loving arms.