Celebrating Mother's Day with Timeless Poetry
Mother’s Day is a momentous occasion to honour the women who have shaped us with love, wisdom, and care. It’s a time to reflect on the beautiful, selfless bonds that exist between mother and child, relationships that often transcend words but are beautifully captured in poetry. Through centuries, poets have poured their hearts into verses dedicated to the incredible role of mothers. Here, we celebrate this special day by revisiting some of the most cherished poems about mothers: To My Mother, Sonnets Are Full of Love, Mother O' Mine, My Mother's Garden, and Somewhere Between Then and Now.
To My Mother – by Christina Rossetti
Christina Rossetti’s To My Mother is a poignant declaration of gratitude, expressing admiration for the nurturing love a mother provides. Rossetti’s work speaks to the essence of a mother’s deep love and sacrifice, emphasising the unwavering devotion that is present even in the most trying moments.
In the poem, Rossetti writes: "A mother's love, so pure, so deep, so wide,
No other love in the world compares."
These words remind us of the unconditional love mothers give—love that endures through time and transcends any hardship. This poem is a perfect tribute for Mother's Day, as it captures the beauty of selfless affection that mothers offer in every step of life.
Sonnets Are Full of Love – by William Shakespeare
While Shakespeare did not write this poem specifically about mothers, his sonnet Sonnet 18 is often quoted when expressing love and admiration. The line "Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?" speaks to the eternal beauty and grace that one can find in a loved one, much like the feelings many children have for their mothers. Shakespeare's profound expressions of love and admiration through his sonnets can be a beautiful tribute to mothers on this special day.
Although the sonnet was not penned specifically for a mother, it captures the essence of an enduring love, one that we often feel for the women who raised us.
Mother O' Mine – by Rudyard Kipling
In Mother O' Mine, Rudyard Kipling offers a raw and heartfelt tribute to his mother. His words are simple yet powerful, echoing the deep affection and reverence he felt for her. Kipling’s writing is a reminder of the unique bond between mother and child—a bond that persists, even after time and distance.
"If I were drowned in the deepest sea,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!"
These lines highlight the depth of Kipling’s emotions and his sense of protection and devotion towards his mother. His willingness to sacrifice everything for her is a reminder of how far many of us would go for the love that we have been so generously given.
My Mother's Garden – by Mary Ann Hoberman
In My Mother’s Garden, Mary Ann Hoberman creates a beautiful metaphor for a mother’s love by likening it to a vibrant garden. The poem reflects the nurturing quality of mothers, who tend to and cultivate their children just as a gardener tends to their plants. Hoberman’s words encapsulate the notion that a mother’s love is both a source of growth and a place of refuge, full of warmth and life.
"My mother's garden is full of flowers,
Of roses and lilies and hollyhocks too."
These lines symbolise the many ways a mother nurtures, providing beauty and life to all those around her. This poem is a reminder that mothers create spaces in our hearts and lives where we can bloom and grow.
Somewhere Between Then and Now – by Helen H. Moore
Helen H. Moore’s Somewhere Between Then and Now reflects the passage of time and the ever-changing relationship between mother and child. As children grow into adults, the roles shift, but the bond remains. Moore’s poem beautifully expresses how, even as time moves forward, the love and respect we have for our mothers are unwavering.
"Somewhere between then and now,
A mother’s love still holds us close."
This poem speaks to the timeless nature of motherhood—the way it adapts with time but remains constant. On Mother's Day, we reflect on how far we’ve come, yet always carry the warmth of our mother’s love within us.
Honouring Mothers with Poetry
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, these timeless poems remind us of the infinite ways a mother’s love manifests in our lives. From the nurturing care to the selfless sacrifices, mothers teach us to love, grow, and embrace the world around us. Whether we are young or old, the words of poets like Rossetti, Shakespeare, Kipling, Hoberman, and Moore continue to resonate with us because they capture the truth of what it means to be a mother.
This Mother’s Day, let us pause and express our gratitude for all the beautiful, life-giving love mothers provide—just as poets have done for centuries. Through their words, we are reminded that love, especially a mother’s love, is both a gift and a legacy, one worth celebrating every day.
Happy Mother’s Day!