MY BIRTHDAY; OCTOBER 20, 1927 by OLIVER MURRAY EDWARDS

Sixty-five years ago today
To me came light and love—
In this same room where now I stand
As God watched from above;
Within the quiet of this room
My mother's face I see,
While golden scenes from long ago
Once more come back to me.

Of all the group that gathered here
Upon that fateful day,
The babe alone doth now survive.
As here I kneel and pray
I think that mother watches still,
And is not far away,
And that she loves her baby yet,
Though now full grown and gray.

Jehovah, Father, hear my cry
As here I kneel to Thee;
Now bless me for my mother's sake,
And heed her prayers for me.
May I be true unto my tasks
On earth while I remain
As I depart this sacred spot
Into the world again.

For mother's love just seems to blend
Into the love divine,
So sacred and so holy like
It must resemble Thine.
And as I meet with mother here
Within this room today,
I seem to feel her loving touch
And hear her gently say:

"My son, in Christ we live again
In mansions built above,
Whose precious stones are every one
A word or deed of love.
Hold not the things of earth too dear
That are but for a day,
But lay thy treasure up in Heav'n
Which will not pass away."

I seem to hear her laughter ring
Through these old rooms once more,
And oft I think I hear her step
Just coming through the door.
This house, which once was bright with love,
Now seems so cold and gray,
'Tis eighty years, or more, since she
Romped here—a child at play.

'Twas in the room across the hall
Her marriage vows were said;
While father's heart was filled with pride,
In love those two were wed.
The brilliant scene is of the past—
The golden days of old,
The room is now a memory,
So silent and so cold.

Within the room where I was born,
I saw grandfather die—
My childish mind was filled with awe
As I was standing by.
With reverence I breathe a prayer
As I turn to depart—
God of my fathers evermore
Dwell in my soul and heart.

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...