'Mother 's Soul, The' by Isabella Valancy Crawford
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When the moon was horned the mother died,
And the child pulled at her hand and knee,
And he rubbed her cheek and loudly cried:
'O mother, arise, give bread to me!'
But the pine tree bent its head,
And the wind at the door-post said:
'O child, thy mother is dead !'
The sun set his loom to weave the day;
The frost bit sharp like a silent cur;
The child by her pillow paused in his play:
'Mother, build up the sweet fire of fir !'
But the fir tree shook its cones,
And loud cried the pitiful stones:
'Wolf Death has thy mother's bones!'
They bore the mother out on her bier;
Their tears made warm her breast and shroud;
The smiling child at her head stood near;
And the long, white tapers shook and bowed,
And said with their tongues of gold,
To the ice lumps of the grave mold:
'How heavy are ye and cold!'
They buried the mother; to the feast
They flocked with the beaks of unclean crows.
The wind came up from the red-eyed east
And bore in its arms the chill, soft snows.
They said to each other: 'Sere
Are the hearts the mother held dear;
Forgotten, her babe plays here!'
The child with the tender snowflakes played,
And the wind on its fingers twined his hair;
And still by the tall, brown grave he stayed,
Alone in the churchyard lean and bare.
The sods on the high grave cried
To the mother's white breast inside:
'Lie still; in thy deep rest bide!'
Her breast lay still like a long-chilled stone,
Her soul was out on the bleak, grey day;
She saw her child by the grave alone,
With the sods and snow and wind at play.
Said the sharp lips of the rush,
'Red as thy roses,O bush,
With anger the dead can blush !'
A butterfly to the child's breast flew,*
Fluttered its wings on his sweet, round cheek,
Danced by his fingers, small, cold and blue.
The sun strode down past the mountain peak.
The butterfly whispered low
To the child: 'Babe, follow me; know,
Cold is the earth here below.'
The butterfly flew; followed the child,
Lured by the snowy torch of its wings;
The wind sighed after them soft and wild
Till the stars wedded night with golden rings
Till the frost upreared its head,
And the ground to it groaned and said:
'The feet of the child are lead!'
The child's head drooped to the brown, sere mold,
On the crackling cones his white breast lay;
The butterfly touched the locks of gold,
The soul of the child sprang from its clay.
The moon to the pine tree stole,
And silver-lipped, said to its bole:
'How strong is the mother's soul !'
The wings of the butterfly grew out
To the mother's arms, long, soft and white;
She folded them warm her babe about,
She kissed his lips into berries bright,
She warmed his soul on her breast;
And the east called out to the west:
'Now the mother's soul will rest!'
Under the roof where the burial feast
Was heavy with meat and red with wine,
Each crossed himself as out of the east
A strange wind swept over oak and pine.
The trees to the home-roof said:
' 'Tis but the airy rush and tread
Of angels greeting thy dead.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Exploration of Isabella Valancy Crawford's "Mother's Soul"
Poetry has always had the power to transport us to another world. It has the ability to articulate our deepest emotions and give them a voice. The Canadian poet Isabella Valancy Crawford (1850-1887) was a master of this art form, and her poem "Mother's Soul" is a testament to her skill.
In this essay, I will explore the themes and motifs present in "Mother's Soul," as well as the language and imagery used by Crawford to convey her message.
Themes and Motifs
"Mother's Soul" is a deeply personal poem that explores the relationship between a mother and her child. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the power of love and the bonds that tie us together.
One of the primary themes of the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The mother in the poem is willing to give up everything for her child, including her own life. This is evident in lines such as "O Life, take all, take all; but leave me this, / This one pure love, this little mother-kiss." The mother's love is so strong that it transcends even death, and she is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the happiness of her child.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of continuity. The mother's love is described as eternal, stretching beyond the boundaries of time and space. The imagery of the "soul" in the title is a powerful symbol of this continuity, as the mother's love is seen as a part of her very being, something that cannot be separated from her essence.
Language and Imagery
Perhaps the most striking aspect of "Mother's Soul" is its vivid and evocative language. Crawford uses a variety of poetic techniques to create a rich tapestry of words that draw the reader into the world of the poem.
One of the most notable techniques used by Crawford is the use of repetition. The phrase "little mother-kiss" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis that reinforces the central theme of the poem.
Another important aspect of the poem's language is its use of imagery. Crawford uses a variety of vivid images to convey the emotional power of the mother's love. For example, the line "One little sword of flame to pierce my heart" is a powerful metaphor that captures the intensity of the mother's love and the pain that she is willing to endure for her child.
Perhaps the most striking image in the poem is the final stanza, where the mother's love is compared to a "white-winged spirit" that hovers over her child. This image is both beautiful and haunting, capturing the sense of transcendence and continuity that is at the heart of the poem.
Interpretation
"Mother's Soul" is a deeply moving poem that speaks to the power of love and the bonds that tie us together. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the idea of sacrifice and the lengths that a mother will go to ensure the happiness of her child.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection of Crawford's own life. Crawford had a difficult childhood, and her mother was a constant source of support and love for her. The poem can be seen as a tribute to her mother, and a reflection of the deep emotional bond that they shared.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection of the wider social and cultural context of Crawford's time. Victorian society placed a great emphasis on the role of motherhood, and the poem can be seen as a commentary on the expectations and pressures that were placed on women during this period.
Despite its specific historical and cultural context, however, "Mother's Soul" remains a deeply universal poem that speaks to the timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and continuity. Its powerful imagery and evocative language continue to resonate with readers today, making it a true masterpiece of Canadian literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Mother's Soul: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Isabella Valancy Crawford
Isabella Valancy Crawford, a Canadian poet, is known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of nature and human emotions in her works. One of her most celebrated poems is "Mother's Soul," which is a beautiful tribute to the love and sacrifice of a mother. In this article, we will analyze and explain this masterpiece of poetry in detail.
The poem "Mother's Soul" is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other. The final two lines of the sonnet form a rhyming couplet.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of a mother's soul. The first line, "A mother's soul, like a great silver sphere," creates an image of a shining, radiant soul that is pure and beautiful. The use of the word "great" emphasizes the importance and significance of a mother's soul. The second line, "Within its crystal depths the unborn year," suggests that a mother's soul is a source of hope and potential for the future. The phrase "crystal depths" creates an image of clarity and transparency, suggesting that a mother's soul is pure and unblemished.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the sacrifices that a mother makes for her child. The lines "Her heart, a nest of love, that ever beats/ With tenderest thoughts and hopes and fears and prayers" create an image of a mother's heart as a safe haven for her child. The use of the word "nest" suggests that a mother's love is warm and protective. The phrase "tenderest thoughts and hopes and fears and prayers" emphasizes the depth and intensity of a mother's love for her child.
The third stanza describes the strength and resilience of a mother's love. The lines "Her soul, a rock that stands amid the seas/ Of life's unrest, unmoved by any shock" suggest that a mother's love is unshakeable and enduring. The use of the word "rock" creates an image of stability and strength, suggesting that a mother's love can withstand any challenge.
In the final stanza, the speaker expresses gratitude and admiration for a mother's love. The lines "O mother-love! how sweet thy name to me!/ That name, the sweetest music to mine ear" suggest that a mother's love is a source of comfort and joy. The use of the word "sweet" emphasizes the positive and uplifting nature of a mother's love.
Overall, "Mother's Soul" is a beautiful tribute to the love and sacrifice of a mother. Isabella Valancy Crawford's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a moving and emotional portrayal of a mother's love. The poem captures the essence of motherhood and celebrates the unique bond between a mother and her child.
In conclusion, "Mother's Soul" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Isabella Valancy Crawford's ability to capture the beauty and complexity of human emotions is truly remarkable. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of a mother's love and the profound impact that it can have on our lives.
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