Before the Heavenly Gates
Before the Heavenly Gates, he stood
just recently part of that brotherhood
that holds them, each one, dearer than brother,
a kinship unlike to none other.
He stood still, in awe as those Gates swung wide,
awash in the light of the glory inside,
His once-proud uniform torn and unmade,
pale where the desert sun caused them to fade,
encarmined by the blood of his foes, and his own,
no prouder medals could his valor have shown,
but bathed by that glorious, celestial sheen,
he stood tall, and mended, and spotlessly clean.
And there, from within those gilded doors,
strode a Figure far greater than the mightiest wars,
strong and gentle, humble and proud,
who adressed the newcomer in a Voice great and loud,
"Halt, thou! Who goest there, be it foe, or friend?
A soldier whose story hath reached but one end?"
The soldier snapped to, to Present Arms he came
as he knew who this Figure was, and knew His name,
his voice was hard-sounding, a gravelling sham,
but in a hoarse whisper, he replied, "Here I Am."
The Figure at The Gates, at Attention as well,
returned the salute, and the Voice came to swell,
as the command rang out and the light seemed to spread,
"Advance and be Recognized!" was what He had said.
The soldier moved forward, front and center he stood,
and That Voice said, "Soldier, thy report has been good,
Thy name is on roster, as well as The Book,
for the path that thy life and career betook!"
"Now come, enter thou, and take up thy post,
for thy place awaits thee, in The Heavenly Host!"
And as the soldier passed through that glorious gate,
a mighty chorus rose, from Those who await:
Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep
Through all the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord.
(c) 12-03-2004 by JSR
