When Monica's young son had felt her kiss - Her weeping kiss - for years, her sorrow flowed At last into his wilful blood; he owed To her his after-life of truth and bliss: And her own joy, what words, what thoughts could paint! When o'er his soul, with sweet constraining force, Came Penitence - a fusion from remorse - And made her boy a glorious Christian saint. Oh ye, who tend the young through doubtful years Along the busy path from birth to death, Parents and friends! forget not in your fears The secret strength of prayer, the holy breath That swathes your darlings! think how Austin's faith Rose like a star upon his mother's tears! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DOLL BELIEVERS by CLARENCE MAJOR SHEEP AND LAMBS by KATHARINE TYNAN NORTHBOUN' by LUCY ARIEL WILLIAMS THE COMPLAINT OF POETIE, FOR THE DEATH OF LIBERALITE by RICHARD BARNFIELD INTERLUDE by MAXWELL BODENHEIM SKETCH OF AN OCCURRENCE ON BOARD A BRIG by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD GIFTS AND GIVERS by BERTON BRALEY SONNETS FOR NEW YORK CITY: 4. THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH |