THE READING MOTHER

Suzanne Marsh - source

 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 lent 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.

-by Strickland Gillilan (1869-1954)