bluteddi

The soldier 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, soldier ,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?'
The soldier 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.
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 just got 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 soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'

Author Unknown~

New Quilter

This one made me cry...made me wonder also, about all of those enemy soldiers that ours fight against...if they also believe their cause is just, and if there is a "Heaven & Hell", do they also have the opportunity to go to "Heaven" because they've already lived their "Hell" on earth? Just some food for thought...

niizh

Crying again!!! That is a beautiful poem. My SIL spent entirely too many years in hot zones. We were fortunate he was never physically injured, but the psychological injury is there. Here again we are fortunate it is not as severe as some of our other soldiers. Thanks for the poem, think I will embroider and frame for him.

blueangel

Thyat is beautiful