... and there at the Pearly Gates

            

            I do not anticipate any sudden awakening at trail’s end, where a flood of knowledge and understanding overtakes me, but instead the simple passing of time will have lessened my stature, perhaps curving my spine with age and there, at the gates will be some plywood arrow indicating:

You must be THIS tall to proceed.

            This, for some strange reason, 

            I see as my finally.