Motherhood has long been an inspiration for poets, capturing the tenderness, strength, and complexity that defines a mother’s love. I know that I write poetry as an attempt to express my unconditional love for my child. One of the most beloved poems that articulates this bond is “To My Mother” by Edgar Allan Poe. In a loving role reversal, this poem expresses the love and appreciation a child has for his mother (in this case, his aunt), and it is most definitely a famous poem about motherhood.
To My Mother
By Edgar Allan Poe
Because I feel that, in the Heavens above,
The angels, whispering to one another,
Can find, among their burning terms of love,
None so devotional as that of “Mother,”
Therefore by that dear name I long have called you—
You who are more than mother unto me,
And fill my heart of hearts, where Death installed you
In setting my Virginia’s spirit free.
My mother—my own mother, who died early,
Was but the mother of myself; but you
Are mother to the one I loved so dearly,
And thus are dearer than the mother I knew
By that infinity with which my wife
Was dearer to my soul than its soul-life.
Mothers come in all shapes and sizes, and this famous poem about motherhood is a reminder that there is not just one defintion of a mother. The unconditional love a mother has for their child is a topic that words cannot do justice, but poetry is our closest attempt to do so!
If you ever feel that you are failing as a mother, I hope poetry reminds you of what a beautiful imprint you are leaving on your child’s life simply by loving them so wholeheartedly! It is our efforts and love that our children will recall, so keep giving them your all and know that they don’t want or need perfection!
From the heart of a mother,
Randi
