Strickland Gillilan

Strickland Gillilan (1869-1954) was an American poet and humorist. He is most famous for the poem "The Reading Mother" which remains a common sentiment on Mother's Day. He is also recognized as the author of "Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes", said to be the shortest poem ever written. [cite book|title=Yale Book of Quotations|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=w5-GR-qtgXsC&pg=PA310&lpg=PA310&dq=%22strickland+gillilan%22+microbes&source=web&ots=1WTP9Wwm6S&sig=8-hGqbxq3Q9j7tC5WuI9eIFgm1I| author=Shapiro, Fred R.|publisher=Yale University Press|pages=310|year=2006] Much of his work is public domain and is often reproduced in greeting cards.

The Reading Mother

I had a mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea.
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth;
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath.
I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.
I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness lent with his final breath.
I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch.
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.

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