Police Poems

The Final Inspection

The policeman stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining. Just as brightly as his brass.

"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,"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint

I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent, Because the streets are awfully tough.

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 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."

The Thin Blue Line

There is a line
the color of the sky
on a clear afternoon

There is a line
the hue of the ocean
on a bright sunny day

There is a line
the purest shade of a newborn's eyes
awakening for the first time

There is a line
that protects us from harm
in all we do
whether day or night

There is a line
no one can penetrate
no one can alleviate

There is a line
made of those who choose
to follow a calling many do not hear
and still more do not comprehend

They choose to walk
the path of fear, hate and mistrust
taken by so few
yet marked by so many

And when one leaves this line
they leave a legacy
but the line does not break
for the remaining must still protect

There may be emptiness
a loss, or sadness
but never a hole
not in this line

This line that holds
the ghosts of the souls who have gone
and the souls of the ghosts who will be
THE THIN BLUE LINE