Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MOTHER (1), by KATHARINE TYNAN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MOTHER (1), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Great passions I awake that must
Last Line: Lord, make me worthy, keep them blind!
Alternate Author Name(s): Hinkson, Katharine Tynan
Subject(s): Beauty; Children; Love; Mothers; Childhood


GREAT passions I awake that must
Bow any woman to the dust
With fear lest she should fail to rise
As high as those enamoured eyes.

Now for those flying days and sweet
I sit in Beauty's Mercy-Seat.
My smiles, my favours I award,
Since I am beautiful, adored.

They praise my cheeks, my lips, my eyes,
With Love's most exquisite flatteries,
Covet my hands that they may kiss
And to their ardent bosoms press.

My foot upon the nursery stair
Makes them a music rich and rare;
My skirt that rustles as I come
For very rapture strikes them dumb.

What jealousies of word and glance!
The light of my poor countenance
Lights up their world that else were drear.
"But you are lovely, mother dear!"

I go not to my grave but I
Know Beauty's full supremacy:
Like Cleopatra's self, I prove
The very heights and depths of Love.

So to be loved, so to be wooed,
Oh, more than mortal woman should!
What if she fail or fall behind!
Lord, make me worthy, keep them blind!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net