∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
[[v]]
Because I feel that, in the Heavens above,
[[v]]
The angels, whispering to one another,
[[v]]
Can find, among their burning terms of love,
None so devotional as that of “Mother,”
5
[[v]]
[[n]]
Therefore by that dear name I long have called you —
You who are more than mother unto me,
[[v]]
[[n]]
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,
10
Was but the mother of myself; but you
[[v]]
Are mother to the one I loved so dearly,
[[v]]
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.
(1849)
[The following variants appear at the bottom of page 133:]
Title Sonnet — To My Mother (F. O. U., L. M.).
1 I feel that: the angels (L. M.).
2 The angels, whispering to: Devoutly singing unto (L. M.).
3 among: amid (L. M.).
5 dear: sweet (F. O. U., L. M.).
7 And fill: Filling (L. M.); Death: God (L. M.).
11 one: dead (L. M.).
12 Are thus more precious than the one I knew (L. M.).
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Notes:
None.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
[S:0 - KCP, 1917] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - To my Mother (ed. K. Campbell, 1917)