Sunday, May 13, 2007

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.

3 comments:

Erin said...

Wonderful! I'll have to print that out for my mom tomorrow...

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you posted this! Richard Peck used this poem in a presentation a few years ago, but I only vaguely remembered it and never knew the source.

Anonymous said...

I've seen that last stanza around, but I've never seen the entire poem! Thanks for posting this.