Otherside.

As one final bated breath escapes
through slightly parted lips,
our soul begins to slowly rise up
and out from the centre of our chests.

Floating towards the clouds as it makes
its way home to the Other Side,
it takes its time to say goodbye
to the world it leaves behind.

The willow trees that made it dance,
the waves that soothed its stress,
goodbye to skyscrapers and automobiles,
 and all the people it loved best.

Arriving at a velvet rope,
it takes its place in queue.
Behind a massive, ornate golden gate
awaits an impressive door.

Passing through this portal
to another astral plane,
this spirit feels electrified,
its excitement can't be contained.

The passageway opens to reveal
a suspended diamond bridge that makes
the Golden Gate seem like it was made for dolls,
 suddenly the sweet, jasmine air
erupts into thunderous applause.

Below, the water is still and crystalline,
in shades of azure and teal,
blinking in disbelief,
you cannot believe that it is real.

People and animals crowd
every inch of the overpass,
upon closer inspection, they're all
your pets and loved ones from lives past.

They cheer your name,
ecstatic that you have finally come home,
you suddenly recognize families and lovers,
some you haven't seen since ancient Rome.

Beyond the bridge lies a fantastic marble fountain,
not unlike the masterpieces carved
by some of Earth's most talented men.

You stop to admire its magnificence,
taking the time to appreciate
every single detail of its
artistry and excellence.

Here, a siren is depicted luring
seamen into storms with her song;
a little further down, a mother sheep
looks proudly on whilst grazing with her flock.

Awestruck that this was
formed entirely of stone,
you trace your fingers along
its smooth rocky skin as cool as ivory and bone.

All around the fountain
is the greatest garden you have ever seen,
with labyrinthine lanes of lilies of the valley
from beyond your wildest dreams.

The air is thick with sweet, floral fragrances
that seduce the senses as they rotate between scents,
Moroccan roses one second
transform into Damask roses in moments.

Vibrating, your spirit feels at ease
now that it has returned,
the Other Side is where our souls advance
once we've run out of lessons to learn.