The Reading Mother

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 everybody 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.

_Strickland Gillilan

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