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The Final Inspection
The Police Officer stood and faced God, which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, how shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Officer squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I haven’t.
Those of us, who carry guns, can't always be saints.
I've had to work most Sundays. At times my talk was tough.
Sometimes I've been violent, because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep...
I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place, among the people here.
They never wanted me around, except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much. But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne, where the saints had often trod.
As the Police Officer waited quietly, for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer, you've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell."
THESE COLORS DON'T RUN