"I'll lend you for a little time
A child of mine," He said
"For you to love the while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or eleven 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 memory
as solace for your grief
I cannot promise he will stay
since all from earth return;
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I've looked this wide world over
in my search for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd
life's lanes, I have selected you;
For I know you'll give him all your love
nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call
to take him back again
I fancy that I hear you say
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done,"
For all the joy my 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 known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.

Author: Edgar Guest