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Poem
May 29, 1892
The Indianapolis Journal
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
What is this article about?
A mother's tender sonnet on releasing her son without showing tears, preserving his joyful memory, while her heart overflows; she bears this love's burden as Christ did on the cross. By James Whitcomb Riley.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Being His Mother.
Being his mother, when he goes away
I would not hold him overlong, and so
Sometimes my yielding sight of him grows, oh!
So quick of tears, I joy he did not stay
To catch the faintest rumor of them, nay.
Leave always his eyes clear and glad, although
Mine own, dear Lord, do fill to overflow;
Let his remembered features, as I pray.
Smile ever on me! Ah! what stress of love
Thou givest me to guard with Thee thiswise:--
Its fullest speech ever to be denied
Mine own--being his mother! All thereof
Thou knowest only, looking from the skies
As when not Christ alone was crucified.
-James Whitcomb Riley, in June Lippincott's.
Being his mother, when he goes away
I would not hold him overlong, and so
Sometimes my yielding sight of him grows, oh!
So quick of tears, I joy he did not stay
To catch the faintest rumor of them, nay.
Leave always his eyes clear and glad, although
Mine own, dear Lord, do fill to overflow;
Let his remembered features, as I pray.
Smile ever on me! Ah! what stress of love
Thou givest me to guard with Thee thiswise:--
Its fullest speech ever to be denied
Mine own--being his mother! All thereof
Thou knowest only, looking from the skies
As when not Christ alone was crucified.
-James Whitcomb Riley, in June Lippincott's.
What sub-type of article is it?
Sonnet
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Motherhood
Sacrifice
Maternal Love
Religious Parallel
James Whitcomb Riley
What entities or persons were involved?
James Whitcomb Riley, In June Lippincott's.
Poem Details
Title
Being His Mother.
Author
James Whitcomb Riley, In June Lippincott's.
Subject
Maternal Sacrifice
Form / Style
14 Line Sonnet
Key Lines
Being His Mother, When He Goes Away
I Would Not Hold Him Overlong, And So
Let His Remembered Features, As I Pray.
Smile Ever On Me! Ah! What Stress Of Love
As When Not Christ Alone Was Crucified.