Flower Friday 11 :: FF11 :: Lest We Forget

Please read the footnote before commenting, thank you.

Our Poppy seed holder being inspected this morning.

The following poem was posted by my brother on his FaceBook page exactly 5 years ago today.

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.'

Author Unknown~

Footnote: My brother was an ex soldier, back in the 70's he became the youngest ever to pass the 21 SAS reservists training at Hereford whilst still at school and only the second to follow his father. Later as a full time soldier he did several tours in Northern Ireland. In civilian life he worked in Malaysia, South Africa, Belgium and Hong Kong. 

On Tuesday he lost a very short battle with cancer. It was only confirmed the day after I returned from France. This explains my trips to Hong Kong and the lack of comments over the past month. He will be greatly missed by his family but never forgotten. 

Please forgive me for not responding to your kind comments at this time. It is hard enough just writing this. Thank you.