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.
Written by Christina Rossetti; read by Helen at Jean's 80th birthday lunch on 16th January 2018