Friday, May 09, 2008

Poetry Friday: The Reading Mother

THE READING MOTHER

Strickland Gillilan

I HAD A MOTHER who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath

I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.

I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Celert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.

I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each mother of boys were such.

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.

Roundup is at Findings.

3 comments:

Tricia said...

I only ever knew the last stanza of this poem...probably because my mom had all girls! Thanks for sharing this.

Sarah Miller said...

I'm almost positive Richard Peck recited this poem when he came to our shop for an autographing. The man's got a knack for reciting, lemme tell you.

Jeane said...

I love that poem. So true.