Love thy mother, little one! <br />Kiss and clasp her neck again,— <br />Hereafter she may have a son <br />Will kiss and clasp her neck in vain. <br />Love thy mother, little one! <br />Gaze upon her living eyes, <br />And mirror back her love for thee,— <br />Hereafter thou mayst shudder sighs <br />To meet them when they cannot see. <br />Gaze upon her living eyes! <br />Press her lips the while they glow <br />With love that they have often told,— <br />Hereafter thou mayst press in woe, <br />And kiss them till thine own are cold. <br />Press her lips the while they glow! <br />Oh, revere her raven hair! <br />Although it be not silver-gray; <br />Too early Death, led on by Care, <br />May snatch save one dear lock away. <br />Oh, revere her raven hair! <br />Pray for her at eve and morn, <br />That Heaven may long the stroke defer,— <br />For thou mayst live the hour forlorn <br />When thou wilt ask to die with her. <br />Pray for her at eve and morn!<br /><br />Thomas Hood<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-a-child-embracing-his-mother/
