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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE MOTHER by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON

First Line: SHE WILL REMEMBER WHEN THEY FORGET
Last Line: HIDES HER FACE ON THE GRAVE OF ME.
Subject(s): DEATH - MOTHERS; DEAD, THE;

SHE will remember when they forget --
I knew it so in the hour I died;
The oil was touched and the candle set
And the woman I worshiped sobbed beside;
And the friend I had loved and deified
Hid his face where the tears were wet.

And the Mother who bore me spake no word,
But the break of her heart was the last I heard.

Oh, life was good in the world I knew --
Shall I be sad that they find it such?
My friend hath gained him a friend as true --
The wife of me thrills to a new hand's touch.
(Oh, but the dead forgive so much!)
Tears are forgotten and grief is through.

And the Mother who bore me -- only she
Hides her face on the grave of me.



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