Purgatory

Some souls need to purge

the last remnants of sin to be ready

for the pearly gates and streets of gold. 

They need a few more months
to eat more sugar, and stay up late,
drink another glass of wine, 

and make-out in back of the theater,
tell lies about where they’ve been,
laugh too loud, and dance until dawn.

Maybe those months will turn to years

not wanting to let go of the part of themselves
that makes them feel human. 

So for several years they will stay 
in Purgatory until they realize,
existence is too much to bear 

and desire for God

will make all sin disappear.