I will 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 should 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 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 labour vain.
Nor hate me when I come
To take him home again?
I fancied that I heard them say,
'Dear Lord, Thy will be done!'
For all the joys 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 should the angels call for him,
Much sooner than we've planned.
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And try to understand.
Notes
In response to requests this version has been prepared for a female child.
A Child Of Mine by Edgar Albert Guest, 1930
I will lend you, for a little time,
A child of mine, He said.
For you to love the 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'll bring her charms to gladden you,
And should her stay be brief.
You'll 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 want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over,
In search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you.
Now will you give her all your love,
Nor think the labour vain.
Nor hate me when I come
To take her home again?
I fancied that I heard them say,
'Dear Lord, Thy will be done!'
For all the joys Thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll 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've planned.
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And try to understand.
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
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From guest A Ruscheinski (contact)
I am completing a research on LSEN education. I was looking for something really special for one of the Chapter pages. This couldn't be more appropriate. thank you for letting it be part of my research -
My son
From guest Pat (contact)
I wanted to thank you for this poem. I had a son in 1980, that lived shortly. Right after he died I found this poem. I have loved it and could not find it till today. Thank you again for this poem. -
Poem, "A Child of Mine"
From guest Diana (contact)
This has been my favorite poem since I taught on lesson on losing a child years ago and found this poem in a book..I've been so blessed to no loose one yet like all mothers its my greatest fear. This helped me to understand what my Faith teaches..that we are all God's children..that we will be together again after this life and that we are priviledged to be given them for a time here on this earth.I've used it dozens of times to help others understand and find some balance in their grief. It brings such comfort after a while. thank you for making it avaliable again. -
I Still Have Three Sons
From guest Pascale Agostinelli (contact)
My youngest son died nine months ago on a school trip trekking. It is unspeakable grief that follows but so does Grace. He did not die in vain. We have been called to wake up and change our life to save our soul. He is more Alive than ever ! And we now have a chance to meet again. This is his gift to us. -
Always our angel now God's chosen rose
From guest Tique Lee (contact)
is written on the headstone of my daughter, Miquel, that God took home 25 years ago, she was three and a half months old. The woman from the SIDS foundation got to my house before the coroner! She shared this piece with me and though I struggled to read it at Miquel's funeral ~ it has helped me make sense of it all and to make it through the pain and loss. Mommie will never forget the joy you brought Miquel. Your twin, Roman, sisters, Ricklene, Bobby'e, Alexis and I will celebrate your life @ gravesite tomorrow ~ 3.15.09, your 25th anniversary. Much love & gratitude, mom -
From guest Wendy Lovegrove (contact)
This poem helped me cope with the loss of my daughter--it made things seem like it all happened for a reason. -
This Poem
From guest Paul Cahill (contact)
As my Great Niece lay dying in a hospital bed I searched for some sort of comforting literature. This poem fit the bill. It is very true to life and gives a perspective that we all should count our blessings as we are only here for a brief moment of time. Thank you for these words they will be a great help. -
Joel-my son who passed
From guest Kris (contact)
I received this poem after the death of my son.A person came up to me and shared it with me.That was 18 years ago and it still gets me every time.It captured my love and grief all at the same instance. -
From guest Janet (contact)
As parents we sometimes forget just who's child we are loving and taking care of. This poem does such a great job in reiterating the very fact that God has given us this great and wonderful blessing and helps us to look at our children in a differnet light. -
It is amazing how this writer was able to capture such momentous themes in such simple words and in doing so create so many masterpieces.
I am sure that he would have been proud to know what solace people can find in his writing half a century after he left us. -
my son
From guest Dr. Ricki Birnbaum, Ed.D. (contact)
My son Jonathan died less than two months ago suddenly of a pulmonary embolism. He was our wonderful younger adopted son. He was 22 years old. I am a teacher, Dr. of Education. Our Rabbi read this at his funeral. Was this poem written for our Jonathan? -
Grateful forever
From guest Jurgen (contact)
About ten years ago, my son was born, he lived only for seven days. We fought for him, but we could not win. We was lucky that some old family friends mailed us this poem. At the funeral someone read it. Besides that it was very difficult and we did not understand, it gave us strength and faith. I am still happily married and have two beautifull daughters. Thanks to this poem. I read it regularly to remember what I got. -
On the Death of a Child
From guest Margery Houston (contact)
It does not matter if the child is a baby or an adult child, it is still a most difficult loss. this poem is what I always send to the parents who are suffering such a loss. This is always well received. Today I must read it at such a funeral for a cousin whose adult son just suddenly dropped dead at the corner waiting to go across the street. I will always be grateful that Mr. Guest wrote this poem. -
Remembering
From guest Del (contact)
This poem was given to me in 1982 when my daughter passed away. I remember reading it then and then less than a year later I read the poem at my little brother's funeral. I have searched for this as I lost the only picture I had of my daughter and wanted this to have again. -
beautiful
From guest sharla (contact)
this was a beautiful poem... but... i need someones help in finding a poem appropriate for my daughter to read at her grandmothers funeral.... please help me... thank you. -
Searching
From guest tears streaming (contact)
I have been searching for this poem for years! A friend of mine was killed in a car accident on his way to our house for a party, the guilt has never left. This poem was read at his funeral and copies were given out to everyone! I was recently looking for it because a woman at work just lost her daughter in a car accident and I wanted to send this beautiful poem to her. I am still crying!
Thank you so much for posting it! -
Touching
I can't image the lost of a child so young. The poet seem the have grasp the true concept of our care in raising a child. How precious they are to God. and How we must not treat them lightly. We are not told the time when they will leave us or be call to their heavenly home. He capture this concept of the purpose of peranting so beautiflly. -
This is such a moving piece. Makes me want to read it to my parents, to my church, to everyone I know, really. We all come to know the pain loss brings.....it's then that we're truly tested. I find just such an incredible comforting presence within this piece.....
I just can't seem to get over the wisdom in this man's words. I do believe he was born to be a poet. And he used his pen to teach in such a gentle fashion. I do believe I'm starting to develop a real passion for his works. I just can't wait to read more!
~ ~ Sincerely, Janet ~ ~
-
One cannot but feel the heart be pulled tight. Maybe it's because I have a children and this poems speaks of a parents worst fears. I am fortunate to have not experienced this, but I have witnessed the grief. When I was the one who had to tell my mother that my brother had died, the pain, grief and shock was more than my heart could bear to witness much less to experience. Catching her as she fell to the flooe, the two of on the floor and here I was the one cradling my own mother like a mother holds her child. Words cannot describe it.
I agree Vonnie, either this comes from personal experience, or a truly empathic soul. One cannot possibly read this without tears and or a lump in the throat.
~Michelle~
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I actually posted this poem onto this site myself and I NEVER read it until now. Your comment prompted me to come here and add my words to yours. For your personal grief my heart aches for you but for your understanding after reading this poem makes my heart lift and I too sit here and cry.
Mr Guest perhaps wrote this from his own personal experience, if not then a truly empathic soul he had.
Regards,
Vonnie
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I found this poem in a book that I was reading 6 years ago while I sat by my daugther's bedside. She was in a car accident which left her in a coma for many months. She is in a wheelchair now and we have fought many battles over those 6 years. My question was always, "WHY?" When I read this poem, I sat and cried for a long time. I believe this was God's way of telling me.
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