A poem for Erin

Gods Lent Child

“I’ll lend you for a little while
A child of mine” God said
For you to love the while she lives
and mourn for when she’s dead
It may be six or seven years
or forty two or three
but will you till I call her back
take care of her for me?

She’ll bring her charms to gladden you
and should her stay be brief,
you’ll have her nicest memories
as solace for her grief
I cannot promise she 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 her all your love,
nor think the labour 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 joys thy child will bring
the risk of grief will run
We’ll shelter her with tenderness,
We’ll love her while we may,
and for the happiness we’ve known
forever grateful stay
But should the angels call for her
much sooner than we planned,
We’ll brave the grief that comes
and try to understand.