Somebody's Mother

Grandma Shirley (Margie) loved poetry. Many times she would recite poetry to me that she had memorized years ago. Her scrapbooks are filled with poetry she had collected over the years. She recited to me many lines from Poe's The Raven, and also The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. I spent the day with her today, Saturday, April 8, 2011. At the age of 89 she quoted the entire poem Somebody's Mother. When she finished her eyes were moist with teams and her voice slightly chocked with emotion. It was obvious how much feeling this poem held for her. Perhaps more than I can realize:

Somebody’s Mother, by Mary Dow Brine

The woman was old and ragged and gray

And bent with the chill of the winter's day.

The street was wet with the recent snow,

And the woman's feet were aged and slow.

Alone, uncared for, amid the throng

Of human beings who passed her by,

Nor heeded the glance of her anxious eye.

Down the street with laughter and shout.

Glad in the freedom of "school let out,

"Came the boys like a flock of sheep,

Hailing the snow piled white and deep.

Past the woman so old and gray

Hastened the children on their way,

Nor offered a helping hand to her,

So meek, so timid, afraid to stir,

Lest the carriage wheels or the horses' feet

Should crowd her down in the slippery street.

At last came one of the merry troop,

The gayest laddie of all the group;

He paused beside her and whispered low,

"I'll help you across if you wish to go."

Her aged hand on his strong young arm

She placed, and so, without hurt or harm,

He guided her trembling feet along,

Proud that his own were firm and strong.

Then back again to his friends he went,

His young heart happy and well content.

"She's somebody's mother, boys, you know,

For all she's aged and poor and slow;

"And I hope some fellow will lend a hand

To help my mother, you understand,

If ever she's poor and old and gray,

When her own dear boy is far away."

And "somebody's mother" bowed low her head

In her home that night, and the prayer she said

Was, "God be kind to the noble boy

Who is somebody's son and pride and joy."