Is This Really How It Ends?

I feel someday that I'll walk into a darkened room Where the lights seemed to be on just moments ago And strangely have gone dark; and in wonder, I'll flip the switch And then it will all rear up before me; banners, cakes with candles burning, Balloons, flowers; and everybody whom I loved once, and who went away Will be there saying, Surprise! We came back We've been on a really long trip; but we're back now, And sure enough, we'll celebrate all the holidays together Same as before; the letters will start coming again, with those Familiar stories about the dogs and the cows, and Uncle Oliver And Aunt Grace- gosh we have so much to catch up on, And they'll be patting my arm, as I in disbelief, am busy cataloging Their crows feet and laugh lines; just to be sure, you understand- Nobody ever needed the lies of religion as much as I do; But those promises they just can't keep- And I know it would break my heart all over again And I'm afraid next time, there would be nothing left worth keeping So I hang on to death for dear life.