Experience

So this writing is for a prompt I came across on bravetonights page. You find your favorite poem, take the last line, then write your own piece using it as the first line in your writing. I’m using something written by a friend in the military. His name is David White, and it just so happens I ended up getting the last stanza tattooed on my back. ..here it is bravetonight’s site is http://bravetonight.wordpress.com/.Check it out. THE FINAL INSPECTION 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, you 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 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, 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.” –David White Mine is: Experience   You’ve done your time in hell but often, still, you will return It’s not for payment to reconcile your past debt of sins You must pass through again so as to remember those still locked within And there will be times when the heat beneath seems to much to bear But the pain you carry will be the torch of light that leads them from despair