Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A MOTHER SPEAKS, by ROSELLE MERCIER MONTGOMERY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A MOTHER SPEAKS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Here is the reason for my being! Yes
Last Line: Lie closer to my heart, my little one!
Subject(s): Mothers


HERE is the reason for my being! Yes,
I know now what I am and why I am;
I understand my part, who, careless, played!
What once were hidden things, I comprehend;
The universe has shaped me for this hour—
Close to my heart you lie, my little one!!

Here is the word that links the silent Past
With the unspoken Future—binds them fast
In one! The word—and I have spoken it!
Here is the Image stamped upon the clay—
And in the fashioning I have a part!
Here is the heritage of all that was—
And I have passed it on! Here is the seed
Of all that will be—I have sowed it here
In the wide garden of Infinity!
Here is the torch to light Eternity—
Oh, awesome thought, that I have lighted it!
Oh, small, dear son, your greatness frightens me!

What was my life can never be again—
For I was born, too, born anew ... in pain!
I am no longer individual,
But one with, and for, all created things,
Bound up with Earth and all of Earth's affairs!
There is no joy in which I do not share—
No shame or sorrow now can leave me free!
I have no stones for any Magdalene—
I weep new tears with Mary for her Son—
Oh, son of mine, you link my heart to life!

I laugh to think of all the little things
That pleased me, Very Dear, before you came!
Your lips here at my breast make me forget
The futile tasks that busied me before!
Now I am servant to Humanity—
The word must not be hushed, the torch must burn,
The seed must grow, the heritage endure,
The Image must not fade—I must not fail!
In serving you, I serve the world, my son!

I shall go softly—yet exultantly
In this new glory of my guardianship!
Can I look back on pain, forward to fear,
Who have won now the crown of womanness?
Oh, destiny magnificent—and dear!
Lie closer to my heart, my little one!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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