The Final Inspection

The Paratrooper stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He knew his boots weren't shining
his uniform worn, dirty, had no shiny brass

'Step forward now, Trooper,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other check?
To my church have you been true?'

The Trooper squared his shoulders and said,
'No Lord, I guess I have not.
Because those of us who carry guns,
can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was tough,
adn sometimes I have been violent,
because the world is awfully rough,

But I never took a penny
that wasn't mine to keep...
though I worked alot 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 wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
among the good people here,
they never wanted me around,
except to calm their fears.

If you have a place for me 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 Paratrooper waited quietly
for his judgement from his God.

'Step forward now, Airborne Trooper,
you've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
you have done your time in Hell.

~ Author Unknown