On The Other Side of Heaven

Something for a lil girl named Nevaeh

How do we dare...
approach those gates, faithfully;
praying with bloodied hands,
covering smug, apathetic faces,
pretending to be lost sheep.

Behind us, a trail of small bodies...
battered, broken, and twisted,
dressed in a mannequin's best
with their lips sewn shut;
some a ghostly shade of blue.

We walk through the tragedy,
unphased by all the damage...
stewing on self-righteous dogmas,
spelling Heaven backwards
looking for redemption in dirty water.

How do we dare...
think of those - promised gates,
dripping RED! Deaf, dumb and blind
to the squandered gifts and rewards at our feet.
Are the gatekeepers all asleep...
or are we mad?

Author's Note

This piece is for a lil girl named Nevaeh whom the world never got to know, and who never got to truly know the world either. It saddens me to have to admit that a child no longer suffering is better than a child left to suffer. May she rest well.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

i am sorry for the loss .. whether personal to you or otherwise .. life is precious .. i like the hard gritty honesty about our hypocrisy .. it comes in all flavors and we do coat it with candy in our own minds .. i don't think the gate keepers sleep .. that's why they a keepers of those gates .. no one will ever enter unless cleansed of corruption in all it's forms .. my belief .. but .. there you have it ;) hard hitting poem .. inspires thought and self examination .. read smooth first time through
E.

[Brad Dehler]

Rest in peace Nevaeh. I got chills reading this, before reading your author's note- Just 10 minutes before reading this was talking about another person by the same name then read "Heaven spelled backwards" and oooh. Its the stuff of magic. May she rest well and the gatekeeper generous. Thank you for sharing

[lightsong]

Dear Travis,

your frustrations are understood, that You are feeling, You are losing your sanity and faith is understood too, but we both know You can't live without it, sooner peace will slowly find your heart. The world is filled with strife, pain, hurt... injustice, things that don't make any sense for us real humans with real hearts and souls, this is a tough reality which we face here, sometimes we are so helpless feeling we can do nothing, as You felt toward dear Nevaeh, it's ok... we do all what we can, our best. but it doesn't mean things will change for the better at once. to be aware that You only have to do you job, and nothing is needed more from You, You can't take responsibility for the actions of others.

I am sorry for little Nevaeh, I am sorry for all the children whom are suffering around the world. Remember, the guardians are here with their protections, care, love and light. Take care of your beautiful heart, and thank You for writing this for lil Neveah, she must be smiling now from heavens :>✨🤍✨🕊️✨

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I hope she is. Thank you, your words are heard and deeply felt.

[Robert Haigh]

Such a sad and heart-wrenching poem - all the sadder and more powerful for being true! All children need our support. It is criminal that many children suffer violence or neglect in this world. May Neveah, and others like her, rest in peace.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, for taking time to read and review this. This is the worst kind of tragedy the world produces.

[Lisasview]

Hi Travis,
Such a wonderfully written poem.. So sad..the lose of that little girl..So much emotion that makes one think.
Thank you for sharing,
Lisa, 8am in Spain

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

It was very sad indeed. Thank you for taking time to read and review this.

[Lisasview]

You are so very welcome!
Lisa, now in Spain

[Louisa Chan]

Travis, once again, I find your writing very powerful and thought-provoking.

These lines really dread and overpower me:
"dressed in a mannequin's best
with their lips sewn shut;
some a ghostly shade of blue."
"spelling Heaven backwards"

I look forward to reading more of your works.

Louisa

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I'm pleased you found this piece so affecting. This was a difficult write for me... comments such as this makes it a success.

[Lacey]

This is a very good poem I feel as if it's hardwork that needs noticed more

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, the compliment is humbling... glad you enjoyed it.

[Patricia]

the problem is not enough people feel like this, narcissism is bountiful, its trending on every format and they forget what is real, what is right in front of their eyes. Oh yes we all will have some explaining to do at the gates of heaven. Profound and wonderful piece of poetry

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

You might have hit the nail on the head, narcissism is at an all time high, and only getting worse. Thank you for a truly humbling review.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

This poem is filled with emotion and truth that very fittingly explained and expressed. Your note saddens me too. But your poem is a good message and I thank you for sharing it.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for the wonderful review... I hope my next write will be of a lighter note.

[Zoe Richardson]

My deepest sympathies. The death of a child is the worst part of this world. Such innocence and potential wasted. I can feel your anger at this loss, and your questioning. We are mad. And we are also sane. The same heart that carries evil also carries good. Sometimes you just have to look hard to find it.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Very true... just wish we didn't have to look quite so hard sometimes. Thank you for those insightful words.