Mother

Never a sigh for the cares that she bore for me
 Never a thought of the joys that flew by;
Her one regret that she couldn't do more for me,
 Thoughtless and selfish, her Master was I.

Oh, the long nights that she came at my call to
  me!
 Oh, the soft touch of her hands on my brow!
Oh, the long years that she gave up her all to
  me!
 Oh, how I yearn for her gentleness now!

Slave to her baby!  Yes, that was the way of
  her,
 Counting her greatest of services small;
Words cannot tell what this old heart would
  say of her,
 Mother — the sweetest and fairest of all.