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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MOTHER TO SON, by IRENE RUTHERFORD MCLEOD Poet's Biography First Line: Before I knew the love of man Last Line: To you, go thread them for a song. Alternate Author Name(s): De Selincourt, Aubrey, Mrs. Subject(s): Mothers | |||
BEFORE I knew the love of man The lovely dream of you began. When I said, "Jesus meek and mild," My Jesus was a little child. I nursed the kitten on my knee, And nursed you where no eye could see. When I grew up to woman's grace I saw you in your father's face, Your hands were beating at my breast, And gave my womanhood no rest, You little soul called each to each, And laid bright heaven in our reach, My body fed your body, son, But birth's a swift thing, swiftly done, Compared to one-and-twenty years Of feeding you with spirit's tears. I could not make your mind and soul, But my glad hands have kept you whole, And tears have kept God's pastures green, And washed the temple sweet and clean. Think you that I have lived in vain These years of wonder, joy, and pain? The years when Jesus meek and mild Was my beloved little child! And when the first shy touch of things Waked in my heart a thousand springs, And bade me open childhood's gate And give my woman's hand to fate? The moment when your groping hands Bound me to life with ruthless bands, When all my living became a prayer, And all my days built up a stair For your young feet that trod behind, That you an aspiring way should find! Think you that life can give you pain, Which does not stab in me again? Think you that life can give you pleasure Which is not my undying treasure? Think you that life can give you shame Which does not make my pride go lame? And you can do no evil thing Which sears not me with poisoned sting. Because of all that I have done, Remember me in life, O son! Keep that proud body fine and fair, My love is monumented there. For my love make no woman weep, For my love hold no woman cheap, And see you give no woman scorn For that dark night when you were born. Beloved, all my years belong To you, go thread them for a song. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY MOTHER'S HANDS by ANDREW HUDGINS CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS IN THE 25TH YEAR OF MY MOTHER'S DEATH by JUDY JORDAN THE PAIDLIN' WEAN by ALEXANDER ANDERSON BLASTING FROM HEAVEN by PHILIP LEVINE LONE DOG by IRENE RUTHERFORD MCLEOD |
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