For mothers, a poem worth considering

Any Woman

I am the pillars of the house;
The keystone of the arch am I.
Take me away, and roof and wall
Would fall to ruin me utterly.

I am the fire upon the hearth,
I am the light of the good sun,
I am the heat that warms the earth,
Which else were colder than a stone.

At me the children warm their hands;
I am their light of love alive.
Without me cold the hearthstone stands,
Nor could the precious children thrive.

I am the twist that holds together
The children in its sacred ring,
Their knot of love, from whose close tether
No lost child goes a-wandering.

I am the house from floor to roof,
I deck the walls, the board I spread;
I spin the curtains, warp and woof,
And shake the down to be their bed.

I am their wall against all danger,
Their door against the wind and snow,
Thou Whom a woman laid in a manger,
Take me not till the children grow!

--Katharine Tynan (1861-1931)

[My father's favorite poet, William Butler Yeats, advised Katharine Tynan to specialize in Irish Catholic poetry. I think he made the right call.]

Comments

[Karen]

What a beautiful poem, Alice. I am printing it out for MY copywork!

Can you tell me where the loveliness of little boys fair is being hosted?

[matilda]

Karen,
Monica is hosting it here:
http://monicaklepac.blogspot.com/

[Ana Braga-Henebry]

Thanks! I am sharing it via googlereader.

[Lisa (LLMom)]

This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it.

[Claire]

Lovely! I love old poetry...so majestic.

[aussieannie]

That is so beautiful...

[Lynn]

I really enjoyed this poem, Alice. Thanks!