John Heinmiller

West Point, 2004

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by matrid harper- mother class 04 on April 30, 2001:

TO ALL PARENTS "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 select you. Now will you give him all your love, nor think your labor vain? Not hate me when I come to call to take him back again? "I fancied that I heard them say, 'Dear Lord, Thy 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 angel call for him...much sooner than we've planned, We'll brave the bitter grief that comes...and try to understand!!! -Author-Edgar A. Guest- I sense your unfathomable pain, but hope that this poem offers you some comfort.

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