It appears this quote may be attributed to Plato, “At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet.” However accurate or not, that short thread of 9 words and 2 punctuation marks may set a matchless tone for the memory of mothers everywhere on Mother’s Day. The comma, invites us to pause and reflect on the love of a caring mother, deeper than emotion and wider than outward actions. The period, pushes us beyond the precipice of many a poem, carrying us deep into the gaps of personal fulfillment of expression and reflection.
I was drawn to this short, succinct poem by Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson was a popular Scottish novelist, essayist, and poet popularly known for his novels “Treasure Island” and “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde“. However, I find this poem to be an opportunity to consider how some mothers may reflect, not on the cards and visits today, but on the treasure of memories they cherish is their hearts and minds. Here’s the poem to read……
To My Mother Robert Louis Stevenson You too, my mother, read my rhymes For love of unforgotten times, And you may chance to hear once more The little feet along the floor.
First, I see a mother, much like mine, who cherished every line we may have written for school projects the same as one would a renowned poet or author. However, I think the first two lines can speak of the “rhymes” of the child’s very life. The joys of all the make-believe encounters in a child’s imagination played along by mother and treasured in her dearest of memories. While many of the memories may fade with age, often they only fade in detail and not emotion.
Second, I have no doubt that many mothers can still hear the pitter-patter of “little feet along the floor.” The sound of the child coming to mom for comfort, consoling, and encouragement. To have the “worse” of wounds healed with the gentlest of “antibiotic” kisses from the lips of a mother. The steps heard from the re-entrant wanderer from the house acknowledged by the greetings of a caring mother.
The accuracy of the treasured memories is of little value compared to the undeniable richness of the emotions that are as deep on the day of remembrance as they were on the day of occurrence. Yes, today is Mother’s Day, but a mother is that every day, and that cannot be dismissed any day.
Happy Mother’s Day to my mother, my children’s mother, and all mothers around this world. As well as Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers who have gone before us and modeled motherhood for so many throughout time.