Inspired by the writing of this great saint
You stand atop a holy bridge,
A bridge that has several levels,
Like the historic Ponte Vecchio,
And the waves of the worldly waters
Are swarming with sea demons who
Obsessively seek souls to rip open
With their blade-like bloody teeth,
And their cold cadaverous claws,
To torture them in The Endless Death;
But some souls, through God’s grace,
Cling to the edge of the first level
Of the bridge, dripping wet and
Shivering, terrified of going to hell,
So they clutch tightly to the bridge,
Fearing that they will fall back into
The turbulent black river of doom;
Other souls, through God’s strength,
Climb up higher to the second level
Where they are safe from the evil
Threat below, in a place of serene
Consolation, where happiness can
Finally reign in their grateful hearts;
However, there are still others who,
Through your passionate prayers --
And surrender to the Holy Cross --
Climb to the top of the bridge, and
There -- yes, there! -- they are
Pierced by the overwhelming beauty
Of the magnificent heavenly realm,
Where Jesus’ peace surrounds them,
Where Jesus’ joy enthralls them,
Where Jesus’ love embraces them.