Somebody's Mother

Before the poem. Imagine your own mother, old and alone, waiting to cross a busy road. Would someone help her? Hold that thought: it is the whole poem.

A word. Ragged can mean uneven (a ragged coastline), or very tired. Here it means wearing old, torn clothes, like shabby.

The old woman. 'The woman was old and ragged and grey, and bent with the chill of the winter's day.' The street was wet with recent snow, and her feet were aged and slow.

She stood at the crossing and waited long, 'Alone, uncared for, amid the throng' (crowd) 'of human beings who passed her by.' Surrounded by people, and completely alone. Nobody heeded (paid attention to) 'the glance of her anxious eyes'.

The schoolboys. Then come the boys, glad that school is over, with laughter and shouts, 'like a flock of sheep', cheering the deep snow.

They hastened (hurried) past her. None offered help. Why couldn't she cross by herself? She was 'So meek, so timid, afraid to stir' (move) 'lest the carriage wheels or the horses' feet should crowd her down in the slippery street.' She feared being knocked down.

One boy stops. At last came one of the merry group: the gayest (happiest, most cheerful) boy of all, the one you might expect to run past fastest. He paused beside her and whispered: 'I'll help you cross, if you wish to go.'

Notice: he whispers, and he says 'if you wish to go'. He does not take charge of her; he offers, and lets her decide.

She put her old hand on his strong young arm, and he guided her trembling feet across, 'proud that his own were firm and strong.'

What he told his friends. 'She's somebody's mother, boys, you know…' He hopes someone will lend a hand to help his mother, 'if ever she's poor and old and grey, when her own dear boy is far away.'

That night, in her home, the old woman prayed for him: 'God be kind to the noble boy, who is somebody's son, and pride and joy.'