1. By Sarah Whitesel
POETRY DEDICATION PROJECT

2. TO MY ABSOLUTELY AMAZING
PARENTS…
You are both much more than just parents to me.
You are my best friends. You are the only two
people who I can tell anything to and I do mean
absolutely anything and you will never judge me.
You are the best advice givers out there. You are
my guardians. When I say guardians I mean with
anything that ever happens to me you both are
always there guarding and protecting me and
making sure I get through it and keep me safe. I
have no idea what I would ever do without the
both of you or where I would be today without
your love, patience, kindness and sincerity. I owe
everything to you both and am so thankful God
blessed me with as amazing parents as the both of
you. I am so proud to call you both my parents,
after 20 years of marriage you both are still crazy
in love with each other and would never give up
on the other. One day when I am married I hope
to have the kind of marriage you both have. I look
up to you both more than anyone else. I love you
both so much.
Love,
Your daughter

3. Because I feel that, in the Heavens above,
The angels, whispering to one another,
Can find, among their burning terms of love,
None so devotional as that of "Mother,"
Therefore by that dear name I long have called you—
You who are more than mother unto me,
And fill my heart of hearts, where Death installed you
In setting my Virginia's spirit free.
My mother—my own mother, who died early,
Was but the mother of myself; but you
Are mother to the one I loved so dearly,
And thus are dearer than the mother I knew
By that infinity with which my wife
Was dearer to my soul than its soul-life.
TO MY MOTHER
BY EDGAR ALLAN POE

4. “To my mother” was written by Edgar Allan Poe after his wife had died very young. He
did not write it to his own mother but to his Aunt Maria who he thought of as his own mother. He
thought this because she was the mother of his wife who he loved more than anything. She was also
his aunt because he married his thirteen year old cousin, so she was truly his biological aunt.
In the lines one through four he describes that even the angels in heaven can not find a
word as loving and as devotional as “mother”. The poem just shows how powerful the word mother
really is. Mothers are always looked at as loving and caring and compassionate. So just the first four
lines in this poem capture the real beauty of the word mother and just how much children look up
to their own mother.
In the lines five and six he is describing how his aunt is more than just a mother figure to
him. He looks at her as a dear friend and is someone he can trust and rely on more than his own
true biological mother.
In the lines seven and eight he is expressing his love for his Aunt Maria because she was
there for him and for his wife, her daughter, when she had passed away. His “mother” had helped
him through the toughest and most depressing part of his life and that is why he considers her
much more of a mother than his own biological mother.
In the lines nine and ten he is describing how his own biological mother who has already
passed away was just another woman to him, who did not show as much love as his Aunt Maria had.
She was the mother of his wife, who he cared for and loved more than anyone else.
In the last lines, the lines eleven through fourteen he is expressing how his Aunt Maria is
very dear to him, more than his own mother and that just because his mother brought him into this
world does not make her his mother, he does not see her as his mother figure, he sees his Aunt
Maria as his true mother.
My mother to me is more than just my mother, she is so much more and unlike this poem
she is my biological mother. The poem caught my attention from the first four lines how the angels
in heaven can not find a word as loving as mother and that is how my mother is to me. She is the
most loving person I know. She would lay down her life for her children. That shows just how loving
a mother is when she cares more for her own children than herself.

5. If I were hanged on the highest hill,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!
I know whose love would follow me still,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!
If I were drowned in the deepest sea,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!
I know whose tears would come down to me,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!
If I were damned of body and soul,
I know whose prayers would make me whole,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!
MOTHER O’ MINE
BY RUDYARD KIPLING

6. “Mother O’ Mine” was written to Rudyard Kipling’s mother. He admired his
mother more than anyone and just wanted to please her, as sometimes she could be very
harsh. He wrote this very emotional and deep meaningful poem to his mother in order
to please her because of his fondness and love for her.
In the very first line the poem gets very deep and even emotional. He is
expressing a very tortuous, painful and humiliating way of dying. It is to draw the reader
in and show how far and deep the meaning of this poem is.
In the second line he repeats the phrase “Mother o’ mine, O Mother o’ mine.
He is expressing just by that simple phrase how much he cares for his mother and how
fond he is of her. “Mother o’ mine”. It is to say that she is his dear one and one he loves
greatly.
In the third line he writes how no matter if he even died a horrifying and
humiliating death his mother would still love him. And how a mother would love even
through death.
In the fifth line he is describing yet another horrifying death just showing how
very deep and powerful this poem is.
In the seventh line he is expressing the tears that his mother would send to
him that if he were to die in any kind of horrifying death or even a non horrifying death
that his mother would truly mourn for him because of the love she has for her child.
In the lines nine and ten he gets to a very emotional and extremely powerful
part of how if his soul and body were to be damned that his mother and her love and
caring for him would make him whole and revived.
The love of a mother goes beyond everything. That a mother will lay down her
life for her child and there is no one who cares more for themselves than their own
mother. I chose this extremely powerful poem for my mother because she is the true
definition of this. I know without a doubt that no matter what circumstance that I am in
that my mother will be there to encourage and help me through it.

7. 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
for all of us, the fullness of it.
It burns there in the past, beyond my reach,
a modest lamp.
MOTHER’S DAY
BY DAVID YOUNG

8. “Mother’s Day” is a very simple yet very deep emotional poem. It has
a very rich meaning behind it. In the very first line it expresses the author
admiring his mother as she is doing something I am sure she does every single
day and something he has seen hundreds of times, her paying her bills. Why is
this so significant? Just the fact that he took time to admire his mother doing
something so simple and routine it shows how great of an effect mothers are
to our lives.
In the second line he describes other simple every day routine-like
things that our mothers do that we do not take time to appreciate. No matter
how simple of a task we should admire our mothers for what they are.
In the third, fourth and fifth lines he expresses how he is beginning to
understand the love that his mother has for her children and her family. That
he wish he could say it out loud to his mother that he understands how
powerful of a love a mother has for her family and her children.
In the last lines, he is describing how even though he can understand
it himself that no one other than a mother truly knows how it feels to have
that powerful of a love for her child and care that deeply. He also uses a
metaphor about a “modest lamp”. He is declaring how great the love is of his
mother and it shines bright like a lamp but is also modest and very humbling.
I chose this poem because of the simplicity of it. My own mother is a
very simple woman. She is not complicated in the slightest. She knows what
she likes and dislikes and she will let you know. Simple as that.

9. He never looks for praises
He's never one to boast
He just goes on quietly working
For those he loves the most
His dreams are seldom spoken
His wants are very few
And most of the time his worries
Will go unspoken too
He's there.... A firm foundation
Through all our storms of life
A sturdy hand to hold to
In times of stress and strife
A true friend we can turn to
When times are good or bad
One of our greatest blessings,
The man that we call Dad.
DAD
BY KAREN K. BOYER

10. “Dad” is a poem that is very dear to my heart. The poem describes my own
father perfectly. My dad is never one to boast or go around parading because of the
money he makes or how great he thinks he is. He is a very humble and genuine man.
In the first and second line the poem goes directly into how her dad never
boasts or looks for praises because he did something right, he is a very humble man. He
is never going around trying to pry people to praise him or never going around boasting
about accomplishments.
In the lines three and four the author describes how her father is very quiet
and sits back and just knows what he should do and just goes to work to provide for his
family. The ones who he loves the most and would do anything for.
In the lines five and six she describes how her father puts aside even his own
dreams and pleasures for his family that he loves more than anything.
In the lines seven and eight she expresses how her father will even set aside his
own worries as to not worry or upset his children and family. It just shows you, like
mothers, how incredible a father’s love is for his children and family.
In the lines nine and ten she is explaining how even when times are tough and
there are problems that the father will always be the stronghold of the family and will
keep everyone together and will always be that person there you can rely on no matter
the situation.
In the lines eleven and twelve she is stating again how no matter if there are
“storms” ahead that her father will be there to guide her and direct her though it all.
In the thirteenth and fourteenth line the author is expressing how even though
he is her father he can still be called her friend. A true friend who is there with you
always.
In the last lines, fifteen and sixteen she is saying how a father is one of the
most amazing blessing we can ever receive.

11. When I am born, you are here
In your eye, I see a tear
Time flies and already I'm two
"Look, daddy, I can tie my shoe!"
Before you know it, I'm five
Every day, you thank God I'm alive
Pretty soon, I turn eight
You tell me I'm never allowed to date
I'm already twelve in my preteen years
Which means you'll help me with all my new fears
Now fourteen with my permit to drive
Waiting to hit the big one-five
Too early comes sixteen, with my license now
It went by too fast, you just ask how
You want to meet my boyfriend when I'm eighteen
I pray to god that you're not too mean
The same guy two years later asks for my hand
I'm relieved when you say, that's just grand
About a year later, you walk me down the aisle
Through all the tears, you bare a smile
Three years later, you're gonna be a grandfather
You show love and pride for your new granddaughter
Another year down the road
Mom dies, oh the many tears that flowed
You're not doing so well without her
Less than a year later, you forgot all about her
Alzheimer's sets in and it scares me so
Not long after, you decide to go
Now I'm regretting not saying goodbye
Every time I think about it, I start to cry
The cycle has begun again
It has started over with little Megan
The other day, she turned two
And said, "Look, daddy, I can tie my shoe!"
FAMILY CIRCLE
BY MELISSA G. NICKS

12. “Family Circle” is a very charming and at times sad poem. I chose this
poem because of how raw it is. It depicts the circle of life in a child-like manner
and expresses how in life that there will never be an end to the ups and downs of
life. Children will disappoint you and make you want to pull your hair out but at the
end of the day their parents will always be there cheering them on and being there
to guide them every step of the way.
In lines one and two she is describing that through her father shedding a
tear after seeing her born he is so happy to be a father and already at that moment
when he sees her as a baby he has never felt a love like that and how he already
loves her absolute.
In lines three and four she is expressing how she is already two years old
and that he is sad to see her get older because he wants more time with his child
because he just loves her so much.
In lines five and six there is some of the humor. Her father is just
exhausted from all the turmoil she has put him through from being a toddler. It
shows in those two lines how a father’s devotion to his child is unwavering.
In the lines nine through twelve the father is showing his fear of his child
growing up because he is always worrying if he did a good enough job of bringing
his child up and he cares for his child so much he does not want to see them get
hurt or grow up to fast.
In the two lines, thirteen and fourteen she is expressing again how the
father is worried because she is now almost of age and will be soon deciding for
herself what she wants.
In the lines, fifteen through twenty two, the author describes how her
father is realizing that he must let his child live her own life and just hope that what
he has taught her will be enough.

13. When you wake up,
the day is almost over,
It’s time to go to the one place you hate,
The one place you can not stand,
Your job is a very stressful one,
You sacrifice your pleasures,
For mom, sis and I,
You would rather have us happy,
Than enjoying all your hobbies,
You chose to make the sacrifice a long time ago.
SACRIFICES
BY SARAH WHITESEL

14. How wise can one simply be?
You seem to know the ins and the outs,
If there is a problem,
You are the first to knock on the door.
Oh dear father,
Where did you find your wisdom?
WISDOM
BY SARAH WHITESEL

15. Is it a bird? A plane? No.
This is a man who will never break his daughter’s heart,
A man who will stay up endless hours with his daughter crying on his shoulder,
A man who will defend his daughter’s honor,
A man who will protect and love even when he doesn’t receive it back,
A man who would rather work double shifts and late hours,
To give his family the best life possible,
A man who will set aside his own wants,
For his families needs,
A man who is completely selfless,
A man who would walk a mile in the pouring rain to work,
Just to provide for his family,
A man who would give up sleep,
Just to see his children off to school,
A man who will never judge,
Just give advice,
A man who would lay down his life for his family,
Over and over again.
This man is not any man,
He’s my father.
FATHER? MORE LIKE SUPERMAN
BY SARAH WHITESEL

16. You're as beautiful as a cherry blossom tree.
You can sing just like the angels above.
You're the most amazing, can't you see?
You're as pure as a white dove.
You say there is nothing else you'd rather be.
Being a mother fits you like a glove.
Oh there is nothing as beautiful as she.
TO MY MOTHER
BY SARAH WHITESEL

17. Oh my mother who is so very gentle,
You have a side that is so very humble.
Your stubbornness,
That has gotten you through all these years,
You’re unchanging ways,
Your strict discipline,
You never falter through it all,
And when someone questions you,
About your faith,
You never take a second to hesitate,
You shout it from the rooftops,
You stand proud and tall,
That you have a relationship with Jesus Christ,
Everyone knows it all,
No one will ever question your faith again,
You have what others dream for,
An unwavering faith.
UNWAVERING FAITH
BY SARAH WHITESEL

18. These poems are dedicated to the most influential people in my life, my parents. They
mean more to me than anyone could ever know. It did not even take me a second to know who I
would dedicate this project to.
I owe my parents so much and I pray and hope that one day I will be able to repay them back for
everything they have done for me.
They have stuck by my side through the toughest and rockiest paths in my life guiding me
through it all. They were always there waiting right behind me if I were to fall.
I wrote “Sacrifices” last year in my journal to my father. It is to show him how much I appreciate
and respect him for every single thing that he gives up just so my family and I can have the things
we need and want.
“Wisdom” I just recently wrote and it is express to my father how much I look up to him and
admire how much wisdom he has. My dad is one of the most intelligent people I know and I am just
always amazed by how much knowledge he has. (The downside, he always wins arguments.)
“Father? More like Superman” is one of my most favorite poems I have ever written. I have been
working on it for months now, editing here and there as to not make it repetitive but I finally have it
“perfected” as my dad always says “Practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.”
My father is in some ways like superman to me. I mean where can you find a man that loves his
family so much that he would give up just about all his hobbies and interests just so he can provide
for his family.
“To My Mother” I wrote out of inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe’s “To My Mother” poem. I wrote
it a few weeks ago and I just jotted it down on the back of a receipt. My mother to me, is just
perfect. She is the definition of a mother through and through.
“Unwavering Faith” is a poem about my mother and her faith and how strong she is in it. She just
amazes me with how unwavering and no matter what anyone were to tell her she would never falter
in her faith.
Thank you so much to both my parents! I love you both so much!

19. • http://otrazhenie.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/dad-hero-love.jpg
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Northern_Pacific_Railway_Mothers_Day_postcard_19161.jpg
• http://wirdausi.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/edgar-allan-poe-www-medchrome-com_.jpg?w=230&h=300
• http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=619&tbm=isch&tbnid=grcMv0CFsAh_hM:&imgrefurl=h
ttp://izquotes.com/quote/244325&docid=bM2AhW6B34ZcTM&imgurl=http://izquotes.com/quotes-pictures/quote-if-i-
were-damned-of-body-and-soul-i-know-whose-prayers-would-make-me-whole-mother-o-mine-o-rudyard-kipling-
244325.jpg&w=850&h=400&ei=01KkUfaKBNfH4APPq4HgCA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=250&page=1&tbnh=130&tbnw
=275&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0,i:125&tx=61&ty=89
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• http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/cycle-of-life-family-circle
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