Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BEING HIS MOTHER, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BEING HIS MOTHER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Being his mother, -- when he goes away
Last Line: As when not christ alone was crucified.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Absence; Mothers; Sons; Tears; Separation; Isolation


BEING his mother,-- when he goes away
I would not hold him overlong, and so
Sometimes my yielding sight of him grows O
So quick of tears, I joy he did not stay
To catch the faintest rumor of them! Nay,
Leave always his eyes clear and glad, although
Mine own, dear Lord, do fill to overflow;
Let his remembered features, as I pray,
Smile ever on me! Ah! what stress of love
Thou givest me to guard with Thee thiswise:
Its fullest speech ever to be denied
Mine own--being his mother! All thereof
Thou knowest only, looking from the skies
As when not Christ alone was crucified.







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