I'll See You There, A Poem By Rachael O'Halloran

Laying pillow to pillow, side by side
We loved to reminisce into the wee hours of the morning
Or maybe it was the late hours of night
Whichever way you want to look at it

For us, time never mattered back then

We smiled when we ended each other sentences
Always in sync
Even when you looked on the table for butter
I was already on my way with it in hand

We said it had never been that way with anyone else

The many hours I sat by your sick bed
Remembering our lifetime together,
Raising kids, good times and bad
Then while you slept, I went on remembering aloud for both of us

I wondered if you heard me

When my voice grew low and weary,
I leaned over, smoothing your brow
I kept whispering to you trying to say
All that I wanted to say

While your body, heart and soul were still here

For then you'd come awake with a start
And you'd smile
"What did you say, dear?"
Even tho' I hadn't uttered a word for awhile

And I knew you had still heard me

Later, when you fell back asleep
I sat close by
Patting your hand just to touch you,
While your body was still here

I didn't know for how much longer

In our senior years, as couples do, our pillow talk changed
Because you got sick,
You said if you died first you'd wait for me in heaven
When I stepped out to the bathroom, death had come for you

I thought I had more time to say goodbye

It’s been twelve long years and I know
You are still waiting for me
Keeping watch for the day I leave this world
To gather me into your loving arms

Your love that fills me tells me this is so

Whispering words quietly, or are they my thoughts

In the wee hours of the morning
Or maybe it was the late hours of night
Whichever way you want to look at it.

For me, time doesn't matter anymore

Now, laying here in my hospital bed
No more words out loud,
When my voice grows weary
I still talk to you in my mind

And I hope you can still hear me.

I often wondered, not for the first time
On the day I come to heaven
If you're still keeping watch for me
Because that day has now come

I know you'll be waiting there for me

The love that fills me tells me
That you hear me still
And the peace that comes over me
Tells me you are waiting for me

Just like you said you would.

I’m on my way, sweetheart.

I’ll see you there.

© May 1, 2014 Rachael O'Halloran