lentchild

"The Lent Child"

I'll lend you, for a little while,
a child of mine, He said,
For you to love while he lives,
and mourn when is dead.
It may be six or seven years,
or twenty-two or three,
but will you, 'til I call him back,
take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
and shall his stay be brief,
you'll have his lovely memories as
solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,
as all from earth return,
but there are lessons taught down
there I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over in
my search for teachers true,
and from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you.
Now will you give him all you 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, the will be done.'
For all the joy this child shall bring,
the risk of grief will run.
We'll shower him with tenderness and
love him while we may,
and for the happiness we've know,
forever grateful stay.
And should the angels call for
him much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.