The song
Late that night, praying he’d take this life from me,
the moonlight glinted off a gilded button.
Just laying there on the road ahead
I picked it up, cleaned it off, and turned it over in my hand
It would need repair, and wow! I just so happened to be missing one of those!
light glinted off its dimming beauty, and I smiled.
As I fastened it to my jacket
And buttoned up,
And a I warm, soft comfort began flowing all around me
In the warmth I saw a shimmering of the air
There was a force no stronger than intrigue
But it pulled me out of this world, and into that next.
And standing there On the other side was a man
He wore the beautiful black coat of a Captain of the Cavalry
white pants
knee high black leather riding boots,
cuffed gloves
and a long cutlass in a gilded scabbard.
He stood tall
His long hair like white gold
flowed from his head,
tucked under his fedora.
in his left ear was a single black pearl with the gilded post.
He had a simple, full mustache
And a clear complexion.
He seemed unaware of me.
Suddenly (without a word!)
… he drew his sword and plunged it deeply into my chest!
I can’t remember seeing it coming!
I vainly tried to grasp it,
as it sliced through my hands!
My grip was useless against its
double edged,
hardened steel!
I was pierced through!
I fell to the floor,
a soft carpet of grass like broadloom, and swooned as he reached down into me, plunging his hand in where the sword had cut, and just as swiftly he pulled it out again.
In his grasp was a huge fibrous many legged tangled throbbing thing of a thing and he flung it away into the high grass dancing in the wind.
New life flowed into me, the blood that had flowed from me turned to water, then to fire, then to a wind, and I was engulfed in a swirling whirling, roaring, sweet, quiet whisper deep inside of me.
The room went black and I realized that I was standing once again where I’d been. I instinctively looked up at the sky to try to see him, but there was only the black sky of shimmering stars. In my heart I whispered and he whispered back.
“I don’t want to be here ! I don’t belong here ! I belong with you!”
“yes, I am your home. But you are well prepared, you are ready. I will be with you always, and one day you will be home. Will you stay until I come for you?”
I felt a longing to be there. Where I had never yet been, but also there was within me a sweet peace about being right where I am. Belonging, necessity and contentment.
I looked at my clothing, I now had on that long flowing coat with those very same buttons, none of them had a single blemish, they all glistened with gleaming gold, and in my heart I could hear myself saying, “Thank You“
I felt joyful, washing tears flowing from my eyes, and words like a prayer flowing from my heart.
I opened my hand, there was the button I’d found. It was no longer broken, no longer scarred.
Should I go look for folks that have a missing button?
Running Down Vimy 