I Could Not Call Her Mother

The marriage rite is over
And though I turn aside
To keep the guests from seeing
The tears I could not hide
I wreathe my face in smiling
And lead my little brother
To greet my father's chosen
But I could not call her Mother

She was a fair young creature
With a meek and gentle air
With blue eyes soft and loving
And sunny silken hair
I know my father gives her
The love he bore another
And though she was an angel
I could not call her Mother

They bore my mother's picture
From its accustomed place
And hung beside my father's
A fairer, younger face
They made her dear old chamber
The boudoir of another
And though she was an angel
I could not call her Mother

Last night I heard her singing
The song I used to love
As its sweet notes were uttered
By one who sings above
It pained my heart to hear her
My grief I could not smother
For every word was hallowed
With the sweet voice of my Mother

Our father in the sunshine
Of happy days to come
Will soon forgot the shadow
That darkens our old home
But we can n'e'r forget it
Myself and little brother
For we are very lonely
God gives us but one Mother

Except and oblige
   Your friend
              Carrie