12/28/2018
"Judgement"
by Roger LeFrank
In a dream I ascended through sparkling space
And arrived at Heaven's gate
Admired the columns, inspected the steps,
Smiled and awaited my fate.
For I had prepared for this fateful day,
(Discussed it with my wife)
And written out a compendium
Of all I had done in life.
I began with my childhood, of playmates I'd had
And prizes won in school.
Though modest I am, I thought God should know
That I was nobody's fool.
Then I skipped lightly through years in my teens
(No need to open that vault)
And most of the capers for which I was blamed?
Somebody else was at fault!
Then I listed my years of solid work
Chronicled each success
And didn't dwell much on the times I failed
(No need to write to excess.)
I wrote of my family, mentioned my wife
Who witnessed my fatherly ways
And would surely attest to our children's success
Though usually she got the praise.
Then I wrote down the people I'd met
The talented, wealthy, renowned
The places I'd been and the wonders I'd seen
In traveling half the world round.
The races I ran and the trophies I won
Were added, of course to the list
While success on the stage and press clippings too
Seemed much, but I couldn't resist.
For I knew that beyond those formidable gates
Is a place with mansions so fine
They would dazzle the senses and I knew for sure
A very grand one would be mine.
A wicket slid open, an angel appeared
(I could tell from the way he was dressed)
Took my resume and gave it a glance
But didn't seem very impressed.
“Any questions?” I asked, for his face held a frown.
“Is it not clear, the life that I lived?”
“Its plain,” he replied, “all the gifts you received,
But tell me, what did you give?”
Trembling, I woke and startled my wife
As I sat, sudden upright in bed.
“It was only a dream, so go back to sleep,
Tell you in the morning”, I said.
She dropped back to sleep, but I stayed awake
It hurts to see more than you mean to
And a mansion so fine will not likely be mine.
I wonder if God has a lean-to?
