The Absentee
Someone is absent, the shepherd said
As over my classbook he bent his head
For several Sundays absent too
So tell me teacher what did you do?
I didn't call as perhaps I should
I sent some cards but they did no good
I never heard and she never came
So I decided to drop her name
He answered gravely, The fault was mine
Hundred, no, there were ninety nine
One was lost and dark and cold
I sought that sheep that had left the fold
The path was stony and edged with thorns
My feet were wounded bruised and torn
I kept on searching not counting the cost
And overjoyed when I found the lost
Thus spoke the shepherd in tender tones
I looked and lo, I was all alone
But God, a vision, had sent to me
To show his will towards the absentee