DEAD! my wayward boy--_my own_-- <br />Not _the Law's!_ but _mine_--the good <br />God's free gift to me alone, <br />Sanctified by motherhood. <br /> <br />'Bad,' you say: Well, who is not? <br />'Brutal'--'with a heart of stone'-- <br />And 'red-handed.'--Ah! the hot <br />Blood upon your own! <br /> <br />I come not, with downward eyes, <br />To plead for him shamedly,-- <br />God did not apologize <br />When He gave the boy to me. <br /> <br />Simply, I make ready now <br />For _His_ verdict.--_You_ prepare-- <br />You have killed us both--and how <br />Will you face us There!<br /><br />James Whitcomb Riley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/his-mother-2/
