THE GRATEFUL DEAD

For me, no angels with their exalting songs,

No white robed evangelists exhorting throngs,

No water of life, I'd much rather have gin,

No closed-minded religion, I prefer sin.

When my earthly journey finally ends,

I'll gladly go to Hell to join all my friends.

Fearlessly I'll greet Old Scratch at the gate,

Willingly accept the justice of my fate.

"Sit at the bar, choose a bottle from the shelf,

I'm quite a bartender, I'll serve you myself.

Ah, yes, you're the Gibson with a twist", he'll say,

"No need for an atheist like you to pay."

"For spurning the church and refusing to bend

To dogma and superstition, here you end

With like-minded souls who didn't tithe or pray

But lived their life in an honorable way."

"Your reward's not in Heaven but here in Hell,

Where scientists and thinkers are doomed to dwell

For preferring reason to the Holy Grail,

Declaring religion an amusing tale."

"Only here in Hell will you be commended

For the hand of tolerance you extended.

Your old chums are at that table in the back,

Just let me know if there's anything you lack."

"Calories don't count here, you'll always be thin

So there's no need to diet ever again.

Cigarettes are free and we're serving red meat,

Go join your friends now, they've saved you the best seat."

"Your husband, Old Bob, waited for you here.

His boat is just outside, docked down by the pier,

And your little dog, Pepe, waits there for you,

She's no longer blind. she can hear and speak too."

Sail on, brave thinker, enjoy all that you find

In this wonderful world that prizes the mind.

Welcome to Hell, enjoy your eternity,

I know you had a choice, thanks for choosing me".

Copyright © 2005 ANSALEE  All Rights Reserved.