John Barber - Policeman

I have been where you fear to be
I have seen what you fear to see
I have done what you fear to do
All these things I have done for you.

I am the man that you lean upon
The man you cast your scorn upon
The man you bring your troubles to
All these men I've been to you.

The man you ask to stand apart
The man you feel should have no heart
The man you call the 'man in blue'
But I'm just a man, just like you.

And through the years I've come to see
That I'm not what you ask of me
So take this badge and truncheon too
Will you take it? Any one of you?

And when you watch a person die
And hear a battered child cry
Then do you think that you can be
All the things you ask of me.

John Barber

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/policeman-3/