I dreamed a stranger came to my door
and knocked on it..one..two..three,
And, I was too busy to go to the door,
as busy as one could be.
But, with a flash I turned and opened the door
to run the pest away,
It never even crossed my mind
that I was at "test" today.
There stood before me a ragged tramp
with booze upon his breath,
and begging for a hand-out
to escape the claws of death.
With hardened conscience, I slammed the door
and went about my way,
It never bothered me one bit
that I had turned the tramp away.
And, then i dreamed that I had died
and stood in judgement at the gate,
Beside me stood an angel
to read to me God's chosen fate.
He said, "I'm the one you turned away
when I on earth did dwell,
and, for loving not thy neighbor, sir,
God sentences you to Hell !!!!
I started trembling and felt weak
and my legs, they both went lame.
I awoke from sleep about the time,
they tossed me toward the fiery flame.
But, never again will I turn away
someone that I can aid.
I'll do my best to help someone
and wait 'til Heaven to get paid!
Cletus Hardiman
Reason for writing:
For several years I lived in Nashville, Tennessee and was involved in the recording industry....I was a professional singer/musician/entertainer.......One particular night I was working a really nice club...This alcoholic came in and was disturbing the guests, begging for a drink....The bouncer was not around, and I was on break, and the bar tender asked me if I would get rid of him....I was young then, and did not use wisdom....I took the old man, and threw him out of the door.....I can still feel his bony arms in my mind......Well, that was many years ago...and I did not write this poem until several years after that....and from the poem, itself, you would not think that there was a connection.....but, there is.....I will never forget this big mistake I made......I learned from experience, as most of us do......E-mail me on this one! OK?
Birth sign: Sagittarius
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