Pearly gates,
no problem, I can picture that...
Bejeweled walls,
Why not.
A circular, eternal rainbow over the Messiah's throne,
got it. 
But here's what I struggle with when I think of heaven:
When 'Jane Roe' moves into Jerry Falwell's subdivision,
will he really welcome her with open arms?
Or will he organize a demonstration?

If I'm hitchhiking across the New Jerusalem,
and Dale Earnhardt or Evil Knieval stop to pick me up,
Will I have second thoughts about hopping in?

Will I really let my kids trick-or-treat at Son-of-Sam's house?
Will I be cool when Jeffrey Dahmer invites me to a bar-be-cue,
or will I suddenly decide to become vegan?
Will I be comfortable when my wife or daughters stop on the golden streets
to have a chat with Ted Bundy?

Would Honus Wagner and Bobby Richardson really include me in their game of catch;
I always picture myself standing on the edge of the field-
with my glove-
hoping for them to include me,
but they are oblivious to my presence:
just like Junior high.

Will Robert E. Lee and Harriet Tubman stop to share a joke,
or even start dating?
It's hard to imagine them in the same room,
without -
at the very least -  
a terribly awkward silence.

I can picture a New Jerusalem coming down from above; absolutely.
but I'm not sure I can wrap my brain around a perfectly loving and forgiving assembly of believers...
But I hope it's true.