OH, what a kiss With filial passion overcharged is this! To this misgiving breast This child runs, as a child ne'er ran to rest Upon the light heart and the unoppressed. Unhoped, unsought! A little tenderness, this mother thought The utmost of her meed. She looked for gratitude; content indeed With thus much that her nine years' love had bought. Nay, even with less. This mother, giver of life, death, peace, distress, Desired ah! not so much Thanks as forgiveness; and the passing touch Expected, and the slight, the brief caress. O filial light Strong in these childish eyes, these new, these bright Intelligible stars! Their rays Are near the constant earth, guides in the maze, Natural, true, keen in this dusk of days. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SIC VITA by HENRY KING (1592-1669) SHADOWS: 2 by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES THE WANDERING JEW by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON A SONNET WRITTEN BY A NYMPH IN HER OWN BLOOD by CLAUDIO ACHILLINI SPRING IS NOT THE ASH by MARVIN BARRETT THE END by BYRON HAVERLY BLACKFORD HIGH SUMMER by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |