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