I will lend you, for a little time, <br />A child of mine, He said. <br />For you to love the while he lives, <br />And mourn for when he's dead. <br />It may be six or seven years, <br />Or twenty-two or three. <br />But will you, till I call him back, <br />Take care of him for Me? <br />He'll bring his charms to gladden you, <br />And should his stay be brief. <br />You'll have his lovely memories, <br />As solace for your grief. <br />I cannot promise he will stay, <br />Since all from earth return. <br />But there are lessons taught down there, <br />I want this child to learn. <br />I've looked the wide world over, <br />In search for teachers true. <br />And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, <br />I have selected you. <br />Now will you give him all your love, <br />Nor think the labour vain. <br />Nor hate me when I come <br />To take him home again? <br />I fancied that I heard them say, <br />'Dear Lord, Thy will be done!' <br />For all the joys Thy child shall bring, <br />The risk of grief we'll run. <br />We'll shelter him with tenderness, <br />We'll love him while we may, <br />And for the happiness we've known, <br />Forever grateful stay. <br />But should the angels call for him, <br />Much sooner than we've planned. <br />We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, <br />And try to understand.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-child-of-mine/
