10 Heartfelt Poems About Mothers


Mothers hold a special place in our hearts, symbolizing unconditional love, sacrifice, and nurturing. These ten poems reflect the profound impact mothers have on our lives and celebrate their unique role.

1. "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes


Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,

Hughes’ poem uses the metaphor of a staircase to convey the struggles and resilience of a mother, advising her son to persevere through life's hardships.

2. "My Mother" by Ann Taylor


Who sat and watched my infant head,
When sleeping on my cradle bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed?
My Mother.

Taylor’s poem expresses gratitude and love for the mother who lovingly cared for her child and provided comfort and affection throughout early life.

3. "A Mother's Prayer" by Edgar Albert Guest


Dear Lord, I ask for guidance,
For the strength to raise my child,
For patience in the trials,
And the grace to keep him mild.

Guest’s poem captures a mother’s earnest prayers for guidance and strength as she nurtures and raises her child, reflecting her deep sense of responsibility and hope.

4. "To My Mother" by Edgar Allan Poe


Because I feel that, in the Heavens above,
The angels, whispering to one another,
Can find, among their burning terms of love,
None so devotional as that of "Mother,"

Poe’s poem celebrates the sacred and unparalleled nature of a mother’s love, likening it to the highest forms of devotion and reverence in the heavenly realms.

5. "What My Mother Taught Me" by William Wordsworth


She taught me how to sing, how to cry,
How to look beyond the sky,
She taught me all I need to know,
As I grew, she helped me grow.

Wordsworth’s poem highlights the essential lessons and values imparted by a mother, emphasizing her role in guiding and shaping her child’s understanding of the world.

6. "A Mother's Love" by Helen Steiner Rice


A mother's love is something
That no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
And of sacrifice and pain.

Rice’s poem explores the profound and often unspoken nature of a mother’s love, acknowledging the sacrifices and deep commitment that define her nurturing role.

7. "The Mother's Prayer" by Margaret E. Sangster


I ask not for wealth or fame,
But for love and strength to bear,
The trials and joys of life,
As a mother’s humble prayer.

Sangster’s poem reflects a mother’s humble and heartfelt prayer for the strength to navigate the challenges of life while nurturing her family with love.

8. "Mama" by Maya Angelou


I know why the caged bird sings,
I know why the caged bird sings,
And I know the love of a mother’s touch
Can mend the wounds of any broken heart.

Angelou’s poem draws a parallel between the resilience of a caged bird and the nurturing love of a mother, highlighting the healing power of a mother’s affection.

9. "Motherhood" by Anne Sexton


You are a great and loving mother,
Whose heart is full of endless grace,
In your embrace, we find our shelter,
In your love, a sacred place.

Sexton’s poem portrays the strength and grace of motherhood, emphasizing the mother’s role as a source of comfort and security for her children.

10. "Mother's Day" by Christina Rossetti


For you, dear mother, on this special day,
We offer thanks and love in every way,
Your gentle care has shaped us through the years,
And to your heart, we bring our heartfelt cheers.

Rossetti’s poem celebrates Mother’s Day by expressing gratitude and love, acknowledging the mother’s role in shaping and nurturing her children throughout their lives.


These poems offer a range of perspectives on motherhood, from the tender and loving to the profound and reflective. They capture the essence of a mother’s role and the deep bond shared between mother and child.

10 short poems about a mom

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