A Mother's Watch

She never closed her eyes in sleep 'til we were all in bed.

On party nights 'til we came home she often sat and read.

We little thought about it then, when we were young and gay,

How much Mother worried when we children were away.

We only knew she never slept when we were out at night

And that she waited just to know we'd all come home all right.

Why sometimes when we'd stay away 'til one or two or three,

It seemed to us that Mother heard the turning of the key.

For always when we'd step inside she'd call and we'd reply.

But we were all too young back then to really understand just why.

Until the last one had returned she always kept a light,

For Mother couldn't sleep until she kissed us all goodnight.

She had to fear the world might harm the ones she loved the best.

More than once we heard her say when we stole her rest,

When you are grown to women and men

Perhaps I'll sleep the whole night thru. Things might be different then.

And so it seemed that night and day we knew a Mother's care.

That always when we got back home, we'd find her waiting there.

Then came the night that we were gathered together 'round her bed.

The children all are with you now" the kindly doctor said.

In her eyes there gleamed again that old time tender light,

That told she had been waiting, just to know we were all right....