Somebody’s Mother

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Mary Dow Brine is the author of the poem 'Somebody's Mother'. She was an American poet who wrote many poems focusing on moral values and human kindness.

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'Ragged' means wearing old and torn clothes. In the poem, it describes the poor condition of the old woman's clothing, showing her poverty and difficult circumstances.

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The poem is set during winter (recent snow, chill of winter's day) on a busy street with a crowded crossing. The time of day is after school hours when children are returning home ('school let out').

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'Throng' means a large crowd of people. In the poem, it refers to the 'careless throng of human beings' who pass by the old woman without helping her, showing their indifference.

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The old woman is described as 'old and ragged and gray' and 'bent with the chill of a winter's day'. Her feet are slow with age, showing her frailty and vulnerability.

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'Unheeding' means neglecting or not paying attention to something. The people passing by were unheeding the old woman's anxious glance, showing their lack of concern for her.

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The children are described as 'happy boys, like a flock of sheep, hailing the snow piled white and deep.' They come 'with laughter and shout, glad in the freedom of school let out.'…

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'Hailing' means welcoming or greeting with enthusiasm. The children are joyfully welcoming the snow, showing their excitement about the winter weather.