Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/To my Mother

To My Mother.

Said to have been written by a prisoner in the Ohio Penitentiary.

 

I've wandered far from thee, mother, Far from my happy home;I've left the land that gave me birth, In other climes to roam;And time since then has rolled its years, And marked them on my brow;Yet I have often thought of thee— I'm thinking of thee now.

I'm thinking on the day, mother, When at my tender side,You watched the dawning of my youth, And kissed me in your pride;Then brightly was my heart lit up With hopes of future joy,While your bright fancy honours wove To deck your darling boy.

I'm thinking of the day, mother, When with an anxious care,You lifted up your heart to heaven— Your hope, your trust was there.Fond memory brings your parting word, While tears rolled down your cheek;The long, last loving look told more Than even words could speak.

I'm far away from thee, mother, No friend is near me now,To soothe me with a tender word, Or cool my burning brow.The dearest ties affection wove, Are all now torn from me;They left me when the trouble came— They did not love like thee.

I'm lonely and forsaken now, Unpitied and unblest;Yet still I would not have thee know How sorely I'm distressed.I know you would not chide me, mother, You would not give me blame;But soothe me with your tender words, And bid me hope again.

I would not have thee know, mother, How brightest hopes decay;The tempter with his baleful cup Has dashed them all away.And shame has left its venom sting To rack with anguish wild;Yet still I would not have thee know The sorrows of thy child.

Oh, I have wandered far, mother, Since I deserted thee,And left thy trusting heart to break, Beyond the deep blue sea.Oh, mother, still I love thee well, And long to hear thee speak,And feel again thy balmy breath Upon my careworn cheek.

But, ah! there is a thought, mother, Pervades my bleeding breast,That thy freed spirit may have flown To its eternal rest;And while I wipe the tear away, There whispers in my earA voice that speaks of heaven and thee, And bids me seek thee there.