Poetic Gems: Entry One — "The Reading Mother"

I'm not a big fan of poetry, but every now and then I find a gem that touches me deeply. This one is special because my Mom read to me a lot when I was little. She read me so many books that I could sight read most words by the time I was in Kindergarten. Love for reading begins when we're very young, as well as our taste in literature (in my opinion), and God blessed me with a mother who knew that.

On behalf of all children whose mothers read to them when they were small, I'd like to say thank you.

Thank you very much.

The Reading Mother

By Strickland Gillilan

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 Marimon 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 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.