The Final Inspection

The Marine stood and faced his God,

Which must always come to pass,

He hoped his shoes were shinning,

Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now Marine

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?"

The Corporal squared his shoulders and very softly said,

"No Lord, I guess I ain't,

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,

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep . . .

Though 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,

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 Marine waited quietly, for the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, my son, You've borne your burdens well,

Walk peacefully on Heaven's street, you've done your time in Hell."

Author Unknown