My mother's
kiss, my mother's kiss,
I feel its impress now;
As in the bright and happy days
She
pressed it on my brow.
You say it is a fancied thing
Within
my memory fraught;
To me it has a sacred place--
The treasure house of thought.
Again, I feel her fingers glide
Amid
my clustering hair;
I see the love-light in her eyes,
When all my life was fair.
Again, I hear her gentle voice
In
warning or in love.
How precious was the faith that taught
My soul of things above.
The music of her voice is stilled,
Her
lips are paled in death.
As precious pearls I'll clasp her words
Until my latest breath.
The world has scattered round my path
Honor
and wealth and fame;
But naught so precious as the thoughts
That gather round her name.
And friends have placed upon my brow
The
laurels of renown;
But she first taught me how to wear
My manhood as a crown.
My hair is silvered o'er with age,
I'm
longing to depart;
To clasp again my mother's hand,
And be a child at heart.
To roam with her the glory-land
Where
saints and angels greet;
To cast our crowns with songs of love
At our Redeemer's feet.
by Frances E. W. Harper
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