To My Mother

Using figurative language, imagery, repetition, and rhyme, Poe weaves together an ode that is universal in its themes of love, motherhood, and family, and yet suits the specific and unique set of circumstances in his life. The poem is as much an ode to his mother-in-law as it is a poem expressing love for a deceased wife, with Poe referring to Virginia several times throughout the poem and mourning her tragic death.

Beginning as if in the middle of thought with the word “Because” (Line 1), the poet describes divine imagery of the heavens to justify the use of the word “mother” for the person he is addressing. The speaker begins by meditating on the concept of mothers in general without referring to specific individuals in Poe’s life. Poe includes imagery of “the Heavens above” (Line 1), angelic beings, and a tender love that cannot be put into words. Poe decides that the most accurate way to put this love into language is by using the name “mother” to refer to the person he is addressing.