Heaven’s Path

She saw her brother waiting by the stone bridge
hurried bare footed across the cobblestones

took his hand as they crossed
the stream coursing through a clearing.

Up ahead she could see
familiar faces; her sister, three bothers,
her father and her mother.
She took off at a run

happy after so long
in the embrace of those 
who had been gone

too many years one by one.
A flood of conversation
trying to catch up on all the news

heaven had to wait because on this path
she met so many of her loved ones
didn’t want to let them go

but Saint Peter called
and she had to move along
but the good news

her family traveled with her
for the rest of time.