OH, what a kiss With filial passion overcharged is this! To this misgiving breast This child runs, as a child ne'er ran to rest Upon the light heart and the unoppressed. Unhoped, unsought! A little tenderness, this mother thought The utmost of her meed. She looked for gratitude; content indeed With thus much that her nine years' love had bought. Nay, even with less. This mother, giver of life, death, peace, distress, Desired ah! not so much Thanks as forgiveness; and the passing touch Expected, and the slight, the brief caress. O filial light Strong in these childish eyes, these new, these bright Intelligible stars! Their rays Are near the constant earth, guides in the maze, Natural, true, keen in this dusk of days. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MOTHER WATCH by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST THE COLD WAVE OF 32 B.C. by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS THE LAST MAN: METAPHOR OF RAIN by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES TO THE YOUNG ARTIST, KAYSER OF KASERWERTH by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE POSTHUMOUS TALES: TALE 18. THE BOAT RACE by GEORGE CRABBE |