UNTITLED (Gift From Above)

UNTITLED (Gift From Above)

I'll lend you for a little time a pet of mine,
For you to love her while she lives
and mourn for when she's dead.

It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call her back, take care of her for me?
She will bring her charms to gladden you and should her stay be brief,
Promise she will have her lovely memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I wish my pets to learn.
I've looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crown life's lanes I have selected you.

Please will you give her all your love, and not think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call to take her back again.
I fancied that I heard myself say 'Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy my pets shall bring I'll risk the grief I'll run.

I'll shelter her with tenderness, I'll love her while I may,
And for the happiness I've known, for ever grateful stay.
And should the angels call for her much sooner than I'd planned. I
'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

~ Unknkown