"I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine." He said
For you to love him while he lives and mourn him when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charm to gladden you and should his stay be brief
You'll have his lovely memories as solance for your grief,
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there that I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world in my search for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd lived lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, not think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again?
I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, thy will be done."
For all the joy the child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may
And for the happiness we've know, forever grateful stay
But should th angel's come for him much sooner than we planned
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.
~Edgar A Guest |
