I stopped to see my father today
as he lay on his third deathbed
The Reaper visited two times before
but my father refused to play dead

"Son he said. Come sit with me
for I feel it my duty to tell
It's not that I have found Heaven
but more over I didn't find Hell"

I suppose when a man nears his end
he fears for his immortal soul
My father thought the sins of his youth
would reap him a horrible toll

To all of us who have known success
from labors and pains endured
It isn't the end that fills our hearts
it's by the journey that we are cured

For a man knows nothing if not that
as he learns from life's long way
Through troubles faced and overcome
strength and character grows each day

It doesn't matter which God you believe
nor which Heaven your bus runs to
Grow your faith in your fellow man
and perhaps he can go there too


Tate
Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in. Mark Twain
The original poem with music and pictures
http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/aristate/447414/