The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now policeman,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No Lord,I guess I ain't,
Because those of us that carry badges
can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was rough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
that wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
when the bills just got to 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 fear.
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 silence all around the throne,
where saints have often trod,
As the policeman waited quietly,
for the judgement of his God.
"Step forward now policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
you've done your time in Hell"
~Author Unknown