The Conversion of St Peter - Paul Springthorpe

[Paul]

The Conversion of St Peter


St Peter was standing at the Pearly Gates
when a Bushman came into view
and on asking the new arrival's name,
the Bushman replied "It's Blue".

At the Bushman’s heels stood a dog
who did not waver or hesitate,
but walked to the Heavenly Entrance
and cocked his leg against the gate.

"What's all this?" cried St Peter,
"I demand an explanation Sir,
why come to this gate,
with your swag and mangy cur?"

The Bushman looked at St Peter
and with a curtly nod of the head,
relied, "We are here St Peter,
cos' both of us is bloody dead."

"Well, I cannot give you entry,
to this place where Saints abound,
you're just not deserving,
after the antics of your hound".

"Now just a minute St Peter,
I've a few things to say to you,
my mate and I are from Aussie
and both of us are True Blue".

"We come from a beautiful land
situated South of Torres Straight,
and I really don't give a stuff,
if the dog peed against your gate".

"For this dog and I are mates
travelling life's path for many a year,
we've shared both good and bad times
and the occasional glass of beer".

"We have travelled the Saltbush country,
chased both the Rabbit and the Roo,
together we've shared God's gifts,
what else would you have us do?".

"Things are different here" replied St Peter
"only the best are let inside,
why are you two so special?,
come, the truth do not attempt to hide."

"I don't have to make a case"
said the Bushman, "and truth to tell,
it's you that needs the converts,
with my dog, I'd live in Hell".

"He's been a loyal companion,
my very true best friend,
ever faithful on life's highway,
I'll not desert him at the end."

"We've shared our last drop of water
and equally divided the meat,
I've picked the fleas off his back
and he's licked my smelly feet."

"We have sweltered in Aussie Summers
and froze in her winter's cold,
the only crime we ever committed,
was, to finally become too old."

"I can remember it very clearly,
the dog from me, would not part,
when I fell down to the earth,
clutching my failing heart".

"Then the life went out of me,
on my cold body, warmth outside,
for my faithful dog lay upon me,
there he starved and finally died."

"and so we met up again,
(although the dog was a little late),
we climbed up the heavenly stairs
and arrived at your Pearly Gate.

"I'll grant you, we're not Saints,
and that both of us like a beer,
but isn't our love and friendship
sufficient to welcome us here?".

St Peter looked kindly upon the two,
"Heaven is not for you two to know,
you really wouldn't like it here
so, back to Australia you go."

and so with a wave of his arm
Bushman and dog did disappear,
back to the land they loved so well,
and the occasional glass of beer.

To this very day my friends,
the two roam Australia wide
and guess who's also with them?
St Peter walks by their side.


Paul Springthorpe 23.1.85.

[Paul]

The Pearly Gates

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that his faithful dog had been dead for many years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch made from mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate made from pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?" "This is heaven, sir," the man answered. "Wow! Would you happen to have some water? We have traveled far," the man said. "Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open. "Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked. "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment, remembering all the years this dog remained loyal to him and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going. After another long walk he came to a plain dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water? We have traveled far." "Yes, sure, there's a pump over there." The man pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in and help yourself." How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to his dog. "There should be a bowl by the pump; he is welcome to share."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked. "This is heaven," was the answer. "Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No. We're just happy that they screen out the folks who'd leave their best friends behind in exchange for material things. Life is not about getting what you want, it's wanting what you already have."

~Anonymous~

[A Message from Willow]

Well great poem Paul.....

But whats with "too many cats, not enough recipes"?? Standing here tapping my own foot cos you haven't got one for me to add!!



;D SO I'll try all these insteda