Mother's Day Poetry, Volume 1

By: William Wordsworth, Walt Whitman, Thomas Hardy, Various Artists

Narrated by: Ghizela Rowe, Tim Graham

This volume of poetry brings together poems throughout history with very special women. The relationship with our Mother is one of the most powerful many of us will ever feel. It rivals those with our children and partners in a way that both permeates and challenges how and on what terms we live our lives.

A woman giving birth is not only bringing life into the World, she is doing so, usually, at great pain to herself. The fact that this is transformed within minutes of birth to a deep, unconditional love is truly beautiful. Whatever the future brings for Mother or child that bond will hold.

The first attempt at language by babies is usually 'muh' or 'ma' - a universal sound for Mother. In every race, culture and domain Mothers are seen as both a symbol and living emblem of love and nurture, of comfort and safety. As we grow older that relationship changes but on a fundamental level remains giving, unconditional and unequivocal. As we become parents ourselves that circle of experience completes a full turn.

For poets through time this unique and fulfilling relationship has enabled some of the greatest verse to be written by some of our most famed poets from Wordsworth to Whitman to Tennyson and many, many others.

We hope this experience of listening to these carefully chosen words will help you reflect and further enjoy the experience that a Mother's love has brought to your life. Their devotion to ours ensures ours to theirs. Whilst we celebrate Mother's Day once a year, every day is their day.

©2008 Copyright Group (P)2008 Copyright Group

About mothers = about everything

Because it's about mothers it sometimes reflects outdated gender roles. One poem includes some horrible thoughts about mental illness. But motherhood has always been there, even when, in our relative infancy, we knew no better.