The Final Inspection

The Fi= nal Inspection

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The Policeman stood and faced his God,<= /i>

Which must always come to pass.=

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.<= /p>

“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,<= /span>

“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t.=

Because those of us who carry a badge,<= /i>

Can’t always be a saint.<= /p>

I’ve had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was rough.=

And sometimes I’ve been violent,<= /i>

Because the streets are awfully tough.<= /i>

But I never took a penny,

That wasn’t mine to keep.=

Though I worked a lot of overtime,<= /b>

When the bills got just too steep.<= /b>

And I never passed a cry for help

Though at times I shook with fear.<= /b>

And sometimes, God forgive me, =

I’ve wept unmanly tears.<= /p>

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 the saints had often trod.

As the policeman waited quietly

For the judgment 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.”