by lc collett
LEND ME A PUP
>
>I will lend to you for awhile,
>a pup, God said,
>For you to love him while he lives
>and mourn for him when he's dead.
>Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,
>or maybe 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 always have his memories
>as solace for your grief.
>I cannot promise he will stay,
>since all from earth return
>But there are lessons taught below
>I want this pup to learn.
>I've looked the whole world over
>in search of teachers true
>And from the folk that crowd's life's land I have chosen you.
>Now will you give him all your love
>Nor think the labour vain,
>Nor hate me when I come to take my Pup back again.
>I fancied that I heard them say
>"Dear Lord Thy Will be Done,"
>For all the joys this Pup will 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 you
>call him back much sooner than we've planned,
>We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand. If, by
>our love, we've managed,
>your wishes to achieve
>In memory of him we loved,
>to help us while we grieve,
>When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife, We'll have yet
>another Pup and love him all his life. -author unknown