Poems

God's Lent Child

Edgar Guest

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 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 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 the 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,

nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate me when I come to call

to take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say:

"Dear Lord, They will be done!

For all the joy Thy 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 shall the angels call for him

much sooner than we've planned,

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes

and try to understand."

***********

For Douglas Allen

Brother will you walk with me,

One more time

Walk beside me, hold your hand in mine

There is a place where Penny Lane's alive

Streets are paved in gold and mommas' cry

It's wet beneath the blue Ohio sky tonight

Let me say goodbye

I'm trembling inside

The mountain roars as one lone eagle flies

He soars majestically for you and I

His Bonnie cries over the Oceanside

The wings of love they travel far and wide

It's wet beneath the blud Ohio sky tonight

But it's alreight, it's your flight

Let me say goodbye

Just a walk in your tomorrow

I will love you in my sorrow

Let me live to be a sparrow

There's an Eagle in my heart

Tears of life are streaming down my face

There's a man I knew and there's a place

There's a place where Penny Lane's alive

Where streets are paved in gold and Brother's cry

It's wet beneath the blue Suburban sky tonight

But it's alright, it's my brothers night

Let me say goodbye

Just a walk in your tomorrow

I will love you in my sorrow

Let me live to be a sparrow

There's an Eagle in my heart

                                      MB 5/14/04