" HE SAID..."

"I'll lend you for a little while,
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 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 charms to gladden you
And shall his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories,
As solaces 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 searched the wide world over
In my search for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd lifes lanes,
I've selected You.
Now will you give him all your love,
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call
To take him home again?"
"I've fancied that I've heard them say,
"Dear LORD, Thy will be done."
For all the joys Thy child shall bring,
We'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we have known
Forever grateful stay.
But shall the Angels call for him much
Sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.

************************

Mimouska

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