The beggar sat at the rich man's gate
Desirous of a crumb of bread or two,
"Away , away" the rich man cried
"Your distracting my beautiful view."

The beggar lay each day alone
From the rich man's table not a bite,
The rich man said, "Away with you,
Ole beggar, you're an awful sight."

The beggar failed to come one day
The angels carried him away to Heaven,
Not many days hence the rich man died;
I think it was six or seven.

The beggar's eyes looked down the golden avenue
It was more than he could comprehend;
The rich man raised his eyes up in Hell
That's when his troubles began!

The beggar's thirst was completely quenched,
There was a river of water as far as he could see;
The rich man cried, "Father Abraham,
Please send a drop of water by the beggar's hand to me!"

Abraham said, "Nay, my friend, remember when-
The beggar desired the crumbs at your feet,
Remember how you refused him even a bite
When you had an abundance to eat!

Remember the cool wine you drank
While his lips parched in the noonday sun,
His days of suffering have ceased;
But I'm afraid your's have just begun."

No dear reader this isn't a parable or a fable
The rich man's still crying in Hell if he's able;
While that beggar's feasting and drinking
Seated at Heaven's banquet table!
 

                                              Carl Hempen, 1978