Poem - May Kidson

The Mothers’ Battalion

By May Kidson

To manhood’s days I brought them,

And then they heard the Call!

To manhood's ways I brought them,

And then I gave my all.

No laughing voices jesting,

No sweetness of caress;

No eyes’ gay, tender message,

I gave my all—no less.

Ah! Mothers in the shadows;

All! mothers in your fears,

The sacrifice's greatness

Must quench the burning tears.

Remember, we are women,

With heroes for our men;

Ah! Mothers in the shadows,

We’ll be heroic then!

A Mothers’ brave Battalion

All in one firing line,

But thro’ the cloud-smoke seething

The star of Faith shall shine.

We heard the Call of Duty,

Like them we fought and won;

And in our hearts’ own battlefield

Shall hear their grand “Well done!”