Anna Wickham’s speaker quotes a gushing display of devotion—kissing her hat, shoes, house, wall, even wanting to kiss a coal in her fire. Then she reveals that this adoring figure is her little son. Right now she is the center of his world, and his love feels almost romantic in its intensity. But she knows this will change: he will grow up and turn eagerly to other women, leaving her lonely. The final lines are wry and self-aware. She doubts she can stay fully generous when faced with his future wife, the role the title names. The mood is bittersweet and slightly comical—tender about a child’s affection but edged with possessiveness and anxiety about becoming the difficult mother-in-law.
The Mother-in-law — Summary
This is what my lover said, " I kissed your hat because it touched your head, I kissed your shiny shoes, I'll kiss you all, I love your house, I'll kiss your wall. I wish that I could kiss that burning coal Because it's in your fire, dear Soul! "
My little Son is my fond lover — It seems no time ago since he was born. I know he will be quick and happy to discover The world of other women, and leave me forlorn! Sometimes I think that I'll be scarcely human If I can brook his chosen woman!