The Grandest Foal
By Anonymous
I’ll lend you for a little while,
my grandest foal, God said.
For you to love while he’s alive,
and mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be one or twenty years,
or days or months, you see.
But will you, til I take 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 those treasured memories,
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught on earth
I want this foal to learn.
I’ve looked the wide world over
in my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes,
with trust, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love?
Nor think the labor vain.
Nor hate me when I come
to take him back again?
I know you’ll give him tenderness
and love will bloom each day.
And for the happiness you’ve known,
you will forever-grateful stay.
But should I come and call for him
much sooner than you’d planned,
you’ll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and maybe understand.
