In Memoriam

the bills 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 a silence all around the throne

where the Saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly for

the judgment of his God.
“Step forward now, policeman.
You’ve borne you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets.
You’ve done your time in Hell”