A Poem

I'll lend you for a little while
a child of mine, God said
for you to love, while they live.
And mourn for when their dead.
It may be six or seven years
or forty two or three
but will you, till I call them back,
take care of them for me?
They'll bring their charms to gladden you
and, should their stay be brief....
You'll have their lovely memories
as a solace for your grief.
I cannot promise they will stay,
since all from earth return,
but there are lessons taught below,
I want this child to learn.
I've looked the whole world over
in my search for teachers true,
and from the things that crowd life's lane,
I have chosen you!
Now will you give them all our love?
Nor think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to take
This LENT CHILD back again?
I fancied that I heard them say
Dear Lord, Thy will be done.
For all the joy thy child shall bring
the risk of grief we'll run.
We will shelter them with tenderness,
we'll love them while we may.
And for the happiness we have known
forever grateful stay.
But should thy Angel call for them
much sooner then we've planned,
we'll brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand....

 Author Unknown