Life's Reward

Life's Reward - By Vaughan Jones

When you've run all your races, and now you're spent,
When you've acted honorably, said all you've meant,
When you've won and achieved most all of your goals,
When you've successfully played out all of your roles.
- and -
When you've obeyed all the laws and rules in your life,
You have kept the peace, living without any strife,
When you've worked hard, sweat dripped from your brow,
And you've provided for your kin without any row.
- and -
When all is said and done, for your country you've fought,
Learned many lessons, done all you were taught,
Once all's done, at the end of your life here on earth,
Does God pat you on the back and say without any mirth,

"You have done well, my child, heaven is your reward".
- Or -
Does He shut you out, spread his palms open, and say,

"Too bad, So sad,
Your Dad".