Each man must make his own decision

Is there a God or is there not?

When we die do we go to Heaven?

Go to Hell?, or simply rot?

And so to death’s dark wondrous regions

Where no man returns from to complain,

One has to wonder at the reason

For no-one living can explain,

What has the Ferryman the use of,

Pennies from a dead mans eyes?

How will he spend his hard earned wages

If he only rows the great divide?

Why are there gates at Hell and Heaven?

If Heaven’s free to come and go?

And once in Hell all hope is forfeit?

Tis true , the good book tells us so.

What chance is there then for redemption?

With Satan’s foot upon our throat?

We’re all bound to die, without exemption,

But in which direction shall we go?

Up towards the clouds and Heaven?

Or down towards the heat and fire?

Did you live your life to help your brethren?

Or scheme and grasp for your desire?

Perhaps you believe it doesn’t matter,

For Hell and Heaven don’t exist

And there’s no eternal fire to tatter

Our souls as clergymen insist.

Maybe you think that death’s eternal,

The final phase, an endless sleep,

A chance to rest that’s sempiternal,

No more to sow, no more to reap.

In whatever belief you find distinction,

One fundamental truth remains,

When all life on earth has met extinction,

We’ll have no-one but ourselves to blame,

We’re the ones that raped the planet,

Stole it’s minerals, gold and oil,

Planted crops the like of cotton

That striped the nutrients from the soil,

We’re the ones that caused pollution,

And made the ozone wafer thin,

I wonder if we believe in God

So we can blame it all on him?

And if by chance there is a Heaven,

And we are indeed our makers sons,

Then the gates of Hell must surely beacon,

Each of us for what we’ve done

By S.E.Ralph

20-5-2011