Notes from the Other Side

　　 by Jane Kenyon

　　 I divested myself of despair and fear when I came here.

　　 Now there is no more catching one's own eye in the mirror，

　　 there are no bad books， no plastic，no insurance premiums， and of course

　　 no illness. Contrition does not exist， nor gnashing

　　 of teeth. No one howls as the first clod of earth hits the casket.

　　 The poor we no longer have with us. Our calm hearts strike only the hour，

　　 and God， as promised， proves to be mercy clothed in light

　　-