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 Gelert 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PASSION'S HOUNDS by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES TO SIR GODFREY KNELLER by JOHN DRYDEN SMOKING SPIRITUALIZED by RALPH ERSKINE OLD IRONSIDES by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES THE SECRET OF THE SEA by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE OTHER WORLD by HARRIET BEECHER STOWE |