1. Poetry Dedication Project
By Timothy Blauch

2. Mom,
Thank you for all that you do. I know I don't say
that enough, but I really do appreciate all yo do
for me. Hopefully, this project will show how
much I appreciate and love you. I know it's a
few weeks late, but Happy Mother's Day!
Love,
Tim

4. “Mother's Day” by David Young
I see her doing something simple, paying bills,
Or leafing through a magazine or book,
And wish that I could say, and she could hear,
That now I start to understand her love
From all of us, the fullness of it.
It burns there in the past, beyond my reach,
A modest lamp.

5. “Mother's Day” Explication
This poem was written by David Young. It is one of the best poems on mothers and Mother's Day that I
have read. In the poem, Young is focusing on his mother and all the little things she did that were
often overlooked in the past. When Young was a child, he saw her doing many little things, like paying
a bill that was due or reading a magazine. But, he was too young to appreciate all the hard work his
mother was doing for him and the family.
Now, as Young gets older, he is able to look back with a different perspective. He realizes that all those
little things he saw his mother do were more important than he ever realized. Like all kids, he was just
too young to understand. He wants to tell his mother how much he appreciates and loves her.
At the end of the poem, Young compares the memories to a “modest lamp”. The memories are still there,
but as much as he would like to go back to the past, he knows he can't.
Young does a great job in the poem of making the reader reflect on his mother. It has a reflective tone,
and uses good imagery to make the reader feel love and respect for mothers.
I understand what Young was saying. I can remember different times in the past when you were doing the
dishes, making a grocery list, paying a bill, or reading a book. You often did the work without looking
for praise and credit. When I was a kid, I didn't realize all the work you did to keep the house in order.
I took it for granted. Looking back now, I see just how much work you did and still do. Without you, my
life would not have been the same. Thanks, Mom.

6. “Different Hats” by Timothy Blauch
In your life, you have many different jobs.
Manager, Chauffer, Teacher, Cook,
Trainer, Mentor, cleaning up after us slobs.
When your mad, you just give us the look;
Then quietly go to enjoying your book.
But, these hats are not what define you;
You won't be remembered for them in the end.
By far, the most important thing you do,
Is impossible to pretend.
Mom, I know you'll always be my friend.

7. “Different Hats” Dedication
Mom, you are the hardest working person I have ever known. You get up early every morning, and
go to a difficult job that most people take for granted. But, you don't let that discourage you. You
manage the kitchen to the best of your abilities, and volunteer to help (sometimes for free)
wherever and whenever you can.
Yet, your day doesn't end there. You still come home, and take care of the house. You make sure it
is swept, the dishes are done, dinner is ready, and the laundry is washed. Even though your
tired, you still make sure the job is done.
You also wear many other “hats”, including driving me around wherever I need to go, whether it' is
the mall or the school to play basketball. But the job you have done the best is being my mother.
You are always there for me whenever I need you, and I no I can count on you no matter what.
I know dad and I don't say it as much as we should, but we do appreciate you. Without you, we
wouldn't be able to function everyday. You are the glue to the family, and we love you more than
you'll ever realize. Thank you, mom, for all that you do.

8. [Sonnets are full of love,and this my
tome]” by Christina Rossetti
Sonnets are full of love, and this my tome
Has many sonnets; so here now shall be
One sonnet more, a love sonnet, from me
To her whose heart is my heart's quiet home,
To my first love, my Mother, on whose knee
I learnt love-lore that is not troublesome;
Whose service is my special dignity,
And she my loadstar while I go and come
And so because you love me, and because
I love you, Mother, I have woven a wreath
Of rhymes wherewith to crown your honored name:
In you not fourscore years can dim the flame
Of love, whose blessed glow transcends the laws
Of time and change and mortal life and death

9. “[Sonnets are full of love, and this my
tome]” Explication
This sonnet was written by Christina Rossetti. A sonnet is a fourteen line poem that has a change, or
turning point somewhere in the poem. The title of the poem is exactly the same as the first line of the
sonnet. Her goal in this poem is to thank and to praise her mother for all that she has taught her and
done for her. It has a positive, happy, and reflective tone throughout the sonnet.
In the poem, Rossetti describes her love and admiration of her mother. She calls her mother her “first
love” and her “loadstar”, or her guiding light. She also says that she considers her mother to be her
home in her heart, no matter where she goes in life.
At the end of the poem, Rossetti points out to her mother that even though she is getting older (“fourscore
years”), her age does not matter to Rossetti. Rossetti's love for her mother will always be strong, no
matter how old she is. Nothing can “dim the flame of love”, not even death.
Rossetti uses good figurative language in the sonnet, like “blessed glow transcends the laws” and “crown
your honored name”. These words and phrases create a strong picture and feeling of love for her
mother. The reader can tell that Rossetti means every word that she says to her mother.
Mom, thank you so much for the many lessons that you taught me over the years. I know that no matter
where I go and what I do in life, I will always have you there to support me. No matter what happens in
the future, I will always come home as much as I can, and I will always be just a phone call away if
you ever need anything. I will always love you.

10. “Always” by Tim Blauch
You promised to take care of me
From the moment I was born.
Whenever something was broken or torn
You kept that promise; that was easy to see.
It wasn't always easy. Sure, we
We had our difficult moments that made your heart feel torn.
But you never gave up or quit, because you had sworn
My mom you would always be.
But, no one stays young forever.
The days may seem long and slow,
But the years are short and fast.
No matter what happens, wherever
I go, will I forget you? No!
Because the memories we've made will always last.

11. “Always” Dedication
Thank you, Mom, for always being there for me. Whenever I need something to eat and
drink, or my laundry washed I know that all I have to do is ask and you'll help. I know
that I sometimes take advantage of that; but I do appreciate it. Even if I don't say that
I do as much as I should. You have taught me so much with your example and work
ethic.
We have had a lot of great memories together, like going Christmas shopping with you at
the mall, going to the park to shoot basketball, or sitting in the car when you nearly
drove through our living room wall. We have also had some bad moments, and I know
I have said things in the past that hurt you, but I look up to you. No matter what I will
always love you.
Even though I will be graduating next Saturday, and someday soon I will be moving on,
getting a house, and starting a career, I will always be thinking about home and the
great memories we have. And no matter what I do and where I go, I will still come
home as much as I possibly can.

12. “Mother” by Lola Ridge
Your love was like moonlight
Turning harsh things to beauty,
So that little wry souls
Reflecting each other obliquely
As in cracked mirrors...
Beheld in your luminous spirit
Their own reflection,
Transfigured as in a shining stream,
And loved you for what they are not.
You are less an image in my mind
Than a luster
I see you in gleams
Pale as star-light on a gray wall...
Evanescent as the reflection of a white swan
Shimmering in broken water.

13. “Mother” Explication
This poem was written by Lola Ridge. It is a poem of praise to her dead mother. You can tell she is dead for two
reasons. First, the poem says her “love was like moonlight”. The past verb tense shows Ridge is referring to
someone who is deceased. Second, in the middle of the poem, Ridge writes, “You are less an image in my
mind than a luster”.
Ridge uses many larger words (obliquely, luminous, transfigured, evanescent, shimmering) to create a dignified
poem. The words add color and flair to the poem, in a way that other smaller, more well known words would
not. She also uses other adjectives, like “cracked mirrors”, “little wry souls”, and “a shining steam” to enhance
the poem. There's not a distinct rhyming pattern in the poem, but the poem's consistent rhythm makes the
poem flow line by line.
When you read Ridge's poem, that Ridge looked up to her mother. Ridge says in the poem that her mother had a
“luminous spirit.” At the end of the poem, she writes that she sees her mother “in gleams pale as star-light on
a gray wall...evanescent as the reflection of a white swan shimmering in broken water.” You can tell that
Ridge's mother was one of the brightest spots in Ridge's life.
My favorite lines in the poem are the first two: “Your love was like moonlight turning harsh things to beauty,”. That
describes you, Mom. You always look to help me and Dad wherever you can. Everyday, after you come
home from work, you make me something to eat, like ramen noodles or a grilled cheese, and you ask me
how my day went. I know that if I ever need anything, I can always come to you. You always think of others
before you think of yourself. Thanks for that, Mom.

14. “Lessons Learned” by Timothy
Blauch
I've learned many lessons by watching you,
Like how to drive, clean and cook.
You're the hardest worker that I know. Yet, through
It all, you never stop to complain or rest
Until the job is finished.
But, one lesson I learned from you
Stands above the others.
Thankfully, I caught it at a young age too.
You taught me the importance of learning,
And for that I say, Thank You!

15. “Lessons Learned” Dedication
You do a lot for me, Mom. You make dinner, wash the laundry, sweep and dust the
house, take me to places I need to go, and many other things. There are way too
many to list. But, you taught me one important lesson when I was a kid.
On most nights, after you're finally done working and cleaning the house, you sit on the
couch or in bed for hours reading. Normally, Dad and I are screaming at the game on
TV. I'm not sure how you're able to read over that but you do. You taught me the
importance of reading and learning. My love of reading comes from you.
I still remember going to the library with you when I was a kid, and watching those old Dr.
Seuss videos all day. You had me ready to go to school years before I even started
kindergarten.
I also still remember when you would read to me before bed every night. You read many
different kinds of books, including mysteries, which you know are my favorite.
All those other things that you do for me are important. But, giving me a love for learning
was one of the best. Thanks, Mom.

16. “Chorus” by Catherine Barnett
So who mothers the mothers
Who tend the hallways of mothers,
The spill of mothers, the smell of mothers,
Who mend the eyes of mothers,
The lies of mothers scared
To turn on lights in basements
Filled with mothers called by mothers in the
dark,
The kin of mothers, the gin of mothers,
Mothers out on bail,
Who mothers the hail-mary mothers
Asleep in their stockings
While the crows sing heigh ho carrion crow,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle,
Carry on, carry on-

17. “Chorus” Explication
“Chorus” was written by Catherine Barnett. Unlike the other poems I included and wrote, this poem was not
focused on one specific person. Instead, Barnett focuses on mothers in general, by asking three different
“Who” questions. By asking these questions, Barnett forces the readers to think about their mothers. She
wants the readers to appeciate all that their mothers have done for them.
In her poem, Barnett lists many of the responsibilities and problems mothers face. Some of these include “the
spill of mothers, the smell of mothers”, “who tends the eyes of mothers”, “the lies of mothers”, and “mothers
out on bail”. Barnett wants to know who takes care of mothers while they are busy taking care of us. They are
forced to deal with all their individual problems that life brings, while taking care of a family at the same time.
The end of the poem sums up motherhood entirely. No matter what problems or responsibilities a mother has,
she continues to “carry on, carry on”. It does not matter if the mother is sick, tired, or in a bad mood. A good
mother makes sure that her child is always taken care of. She always puts her child's (or children's) needs
above her own.
That is exactly what you do, Mom. You work 7:30 to 2:30 five days a week. Yet, even after working all day, you
still come home and take care of Dad and I. You make sure the house is clean, the dishes are washed, and
dinner is taken care of. Even though you may want to just sit down on the couch all night and rest, you put us
ahead of what you want. Thanks again, Mom. I appreciate all you do for me. I don't know what I would do
without you.

18. “Your Example” by Timothy Blauch
There are many great things about you.
You're supportive, loving, caring, and kind;
A good listener, worker, and friend too.
You always know what to say, and when to say it,
No matter the time or the place.
You're not perfect; no one is.
But, you always do you best
In everything you do.
You've taught me through your good example.
I don't know what I would do without you.

19. “Your Example” Dedication
You are many great things, Mom. You always look to help, whenever and wherever it is
needed. There have been numerous times that you did banquets at work for free. I
would probably never work those banquets, unless I was paid, but you do them every
year. You are the hardest and best worker that I have ever known.
On top of working at the cafeteria all day, you still make sure the house is clean and
taken care of when you get home. We don't always help you as much as we should,
but you still get everything done, no matter how tired or sore you are.
You are patient, loving, caring, and kind. You are a good listener, and always supportive
of me. I know you feel Dad and I don't appreciate you enough, but we do. We would
not be able to function without you. You are the glue to the family.
You're not perfect, but no one is. But, you are someone that I know I can count on for
anything, at anytime. I hope to someday be as hard a worker and as kind a person as
you are. Thanks for the great example to look up to, Mom.

20. “Disciplines [If there is prayer, a mother is
kneeling]” by Dawn Lundy Martin
If there is prayer, there is a mother kneeling, hands folden to a private sign. We
recognize it.
If there is a mother kneeling, hands a tent, she is praying or she is crying or
crying and praying at the same time. Although it is recognized, the signals of
it, it is private and no one knows, perhaps not even she, the content of the
prayer, and perhaps its object.
If there is a mother praying, she is on her kneels over some object, as one does
not often pray in the middle of the room. One prays at the window or over the
bed, the head bent slightly up or down, the eyes open or closed.
This is a prayer for prayers, you know, a wanting something equal to a prayer,
even though I am not a mother.

21. “Disciplines [If there is prayer, a
mother is kneeling]” Explication
This poem was written by Dawn Lundy Martin. It focuses on how and why a mother prays. “Disciplines” is a
reflective piece, and forces the reader to think about prayer and spiritual things. It is not written like normal
poems. Instead of individual lines, it is written in paragraphs.
Prayer is something most mothers do. They have a burden for their children, and they would do anything to
protect and help them. They don't make a big show of it. But, they often silently ask for their children's safety
and happiness.
I added this poem because I still remember the many times I saw you and Dad praying when I was a kid. Just like
it says in the poem, you were not praying “in the middle of the room”. You were usually in your bedroom
quietly praying and reading your Bible.
It had a big impact on my life. You and Dad showed me the importance of the Gospel. It was because of this, that
I got saved at a young age. Your good example was something I wanted to follow.
As I got older, there were other times that I knew you were praying for me. There were times I had a bad day, or a
big school project was due. After asking you to pray, things usually worked out in the end. You taught me the
importance of prayer.
You gave me a lot in my life, Mom. You and Dad provided for me, made sure I was happy, and took care of me
when I was sick. But, all those things are temporary. The most important thing you have ever shared, or will
ever share with me is your faith. And because of this, we will be together for eternity. Thank you so much,
Mom. I love you.

22. “Life” by Timothy Blauch
Life isn't always easy.
It doesn't always follow
Your plan. Things break, rust,
And age. We get sick and old,
As the days slowly go by.
We don't have a lot of money;
the house and cars are old.
But we are still blessed,
Because we have something extremely
Special. We have each other.

23. “Life” Dedication
We have never had a brand new car. Most of the cars we have had were fifteen to twenty
years old. They had chipped off paint, old or broken parts, and shut off every few
months. The house is not a big, nice mansion. The roof leaks, the one window does
not close right, and many other problems. Sometimes, it can be pretty discouraging.
You fix one thing, and ten more break.
But those different possessions and problems are meaningless in the grand scheme of
life. All those things will eventually be fixed and replaced. The most important thing in
life is the love we have for each other. We have our moments. The little fights and
squabbles that every family has. Still, I know that we always have each others' backs
and we are always there for each other.
Even though I am going to college soon, I still am lucky enough to live at home. But, the
day will come when I will move out on my own. I know, though, whever and whenever
I leave, I will still be able to count on you and Dad to be there for me. Thank you,
Mom. I love you.

24. Bibliography
Barnett, Catherine. "Chorus." poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 24 May 2013. <
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/23143>.
Martin, Dawn Lundy. "Disciplines [If there is prayer, there is a mother kneeling]." poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web.
24 May 2013. <http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/21618>.
Ridge, Lola. "Mother." poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 24 May 2013. <
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/23509>.
Rossetti, Christina. "[Sonnets are full of love, and this my tome]." poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 24 May 2013. <
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19663>.
Young, David. "Mother's Day." poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 24 May 2013. <
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/22165>.
ALL PICTURES ARE MY OWN