Here are 17 beautiful and evoking poems, all about the relationship between mother and child. From short mother’s day poems to grand romantic gestures (and some heart-tuggers in between), these poems will help you capture everything you are looking for on Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day Poems, For When You Want To Keep It Short and Sweet
You’re my mother. Before a day was over, Home comes the rover, For mother’s kiss—sweeter this Than any other thing! —William Allingham, “Wishing” from The Fairies My mother was If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden —Claudia Adrienne Grandi
When You Want to Hold On to Simple Innocence
Mommy, I love you —Nicholas Gordon [excerpt] Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky, Hundreds of shells on the shore together, Hundreds of birds that go singing by, Hundreds of lambs in the sunny weather, —George Cooper [excerpt] I had a mother who read to me Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea, Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth, “Blackbirds” stowed in the hold beneath. —Strickland Gillilan, “The Reading Mother” [excerpt]
When You Want To Make Grand Romantic Gestures
Your love was like moonlight turning harsh things to beauty, so that little wry souls reflecting each other obliquely as in cracked mirrors… beheld in your luminous spirit their own reflection, transfigured as in a shining stream, and loved you for what they are not. —Lola Ridge, “Mother” [excerpt] The water of her womb, your first home The body she pulled apart to welcome you to the world. The spirit in you she helped grow with all she knew. The heart that she gave you when yours fell apart. —Nikita Gill, “Mother” from Your Soul Is A River [excerpt] You have told me all the things I need to hear before I knew I needed to hear them —Lang Leav, “A Thank You Note” [excerpt] i struggle so deeply to understand how someone can pour their entire soul blood and energy into someone without wanting anything in return —Rupi Kaur, “I Will Have to Wait Until I’m a Mother” from Milk and Honey Who sat and watched my infant head When sleeping on my cradle bed, And tears of sweet affection shed? My Mother. —Ann Taylor, “My Mother” [excerpt] Sometimes I know the words to say to give thanks for all you’ve done, but then they fly up and away as quickly as they come. How could I possibly thank you enough, the one who makes me whole, the one to whom I owe my life, the forming of my soul. The one who tucked me in at night, the one who stopped my crying, the one who was the expert at picking up when I was lying. —Reanna Almeida, “Never Enough” [excerpt]
When You Only Want To Remember
Of course they are empty shells, without hope of animation. Of course they are artifacts. Even if my sister and I should wear some, or if we give others away, —Judith Kroll, “Your Clothes” [excerpt] How I loved those spiky suns, rooted stubborn as childhood in the grass, tough as the farmer’s big-headed children—the mats of yellow hair, the bowl-cut fringe. —Jean Nordhaus, “A Dandelion for My Mother” [excerpt]
When You Know You Weren’t The Easiest of Kids
If I were hanged on the highest hill, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine I know whose love would follow me still, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine! —Rudyard Kipling (dedication to his mother in The Light That Failed) [excerpt]
And When You Only Need a Smile to Say It All
Roses are red Violets are blue Happy Mother’s Day! Sorry you don’t have a kid who can rhyme. —Anon. What are your favorite Mother’s Day poems? Have a bookish mom? Make sure to check out bookish Mother’s Day gifts here.
