A CHILD'S DEATH
 

"I'll loan you for a little time, this child of mine,"  God 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 should his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for you grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth must return,
But there are lessons taught down there I'll 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.
Now will you give him all your love, not think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again?

I fancied that I heard you say, "Dear Lord, Thy Will Be Done,"
For all the joy the 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 sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.