Poems & Poetry Writing for Mom

The founder of Mother’s Day understood the power of verse, and used it to inspire the first practitioners of the holiday. A 19th century poetess, Howe wrote the Mother’s Day Proclamation. This poem called for a day to commemorate the Mother’s who were giving tireless succor to their battle-ravaged sons and husbands of the American Civil War.

Alright, contemporary Mother’s Day is celebratory and relaxed, but Howe’s first verses still ring true. To commemorate you might wax old-fashioned and either borrow a bit of verse or create your own. Does Mom prefer light-hearted? Then keep it silly and limerick-like.

Find the Right Poem or Poet

Maybe you decided you wanted to express yourself by a famous poem for Mother’s Day. We've sorted 101 of our favorite poems by category type. Find the right poem for you in one of our poem categories!

101 Poem Ideas for Mom

Jump to poem categories:

If you don't find anything on our site, try exploring a few poetry anthologies on other sites for poems about mothers. Poems for Free offers dozens of original poems.

Find the Right Writer

A few years ago Maya Angelou wrote a popular compendium of verse that honors and recognizes mothers, Mother, A Cradle to Hold Me. Perhaps this renowned Poet Laureate or another might be the best vehicle to express yourself:

Talking of Mothers: Poems for Every Mother, Douglas Brooks-Davies.
Motherhood: Poems About Mothers, Carmela Ciuraru.
The Rainbow Hand: Poems About Mothers and Children, Wong and Hewitson.

Write a Poem Yourself

We've built up a list of tips for writing your own poem for mom this year. Find inspiration for your Mother’s Day poem in concrete images, as opposed to big abstract terms. Describe Mom, who she is, and what real things she does that make her essential to your life. Recount important or evocative memories and how they affected you. Make it rhyme, or simply let the sentences relate in their own way—called free verse. No matter what, if you make it honest you will create a bold, expressive and meaningful poem.

Find Out More About Writing Your Own Poem for Mom on Mother's Day

Read Your Poem to Mom

Consider reading your poem selection or original to Mom at the breakfast or dinner table. Make it a moment she'll remember. You can even go contemporary and ask all family members to write a poem; stage your own poetry “slam.”