Original Poetry.

Evening Star, Issue 4190, 1 August 1876, Page 4

Original Poetry.

A MOTHER’S PICTURE,

A mother’s picture ! I have seen The sparkling eyes grow dim with tears, As memory, like a feverish dream, Awoke the thoughts of other years : The gentle, half-reproachful tone, The smiling gaze, the fair white brow, Still treasured up —so long since gone, Ah ! do they rise unbidden now !

A mother’s picture t have you bent Above the sufferer’s couch of pain, And heard the fond last message sent To those who wait, but wait in vain ? Yes, many a harder thought had been, And many a sin I dare not trace ; But still that memory rose between — The image of my mother’s face.

Does it not bring some brighter thought ? Ah ! who shall dry the tear away, Nor say that gaze was never fraught With memories of a happier day ? It rises up in storm and light, Though seas have intervened their space, In thoughts by day, in dreams by night— The image of my mother’s face.

A mother’s picture ! did that gaze Awake those tears now brimming o’er, As fondly backward memory strays, Seeing what you must see no more ; Hearing that well remembered name, A dream of life that faded fast. And this is all that you can claim— This little picture of the past. A mother’s picture ! Yes, those eyes Beam with a love so pure, so kind ; The hand of changing time defies To blot ii s record from tby mind. Then fondly keep this treasure here, Bidding each careless thought depart, And let it waken doubly dear A mother’s image in thy heart. Kitty.