Mike at the DC Temple Open House

There's a toddler who's sure

all the elevators are gold,

and if you start to walk him up the

stairway to heaven,

he'll ask to push the buttons.

When you explain

it's for the elderly in wheelchairs,

he'll ask you to carry him.

As you carry him 

past the baptistry 

then up the east spire's spiral steps,

dipping your head down to see the reflecting pool below,

he'll ask to go swimming.

Thinking of water will remind him,

upon arriving at each floor,

that he's thirsty;

he'll probably request to drink from the golden water fountain

and ask you to push the button.

Then,

it will be his turn to push buttons.

As he squirms and twists

and talks altogether too loudly near the altars,

you'll tense

and it'll make you wonder,

ooh, it'll really make you wonder,

about Abraham and Isaac.

There's a panicked feeling you'll get

when you look to the west

and see he is striving for leaving,

springing past the stanchions

spurning the signage against such actions,

stopping only when you snatch him.

Being ensnared in your arms again

won't make him happy,

but when he looks into the facing mirrors

in the celestial room,

he might notice his image goes on forever,

which means he'll be

quiet

just long enough to look up and ask

"What's that?"

and repeat "chandewier" slowly.

Then,

he'll be off again. 

Your head will know what it feels like

to sleep on a rock and not to roll off 

as you juke betwixt the multitudes

ascending and descending 

as he takes to this ladder himself.

When he finally reaches the bottom,

he'll probably be tired,

which means he'll be in your arms again

despite the ache in your back.

As he snuggles on your shoulder,

your emotions will drop 

a few tiers 

reflecting at the thought

of forever.

And as he winds on down the hall,

no shadows falling from his soul,

there walks a Man whom you will know;

He shines white lights and wants to show

you

how all inside 

him 

can turn to gold.

And chances are,

once you’re back in the foyer,

he’ll ask to push the buttons 

to the golden elevator

and play stairway to heaven

again.

DC Temple Pic: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/washington-dc-temple-open-house

Check out the Richmond, VA, Temple Open House: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/featured/richmond-virginia-open-house