Any woman

I am the pillars of the house; 

The keystone of the arch am I. 

Take me away, and roof and wall 
Would fall to ruin me utterly.

            I am the fire upon the hearth,
            I am the light of the good sun, 
            I am the heat that warms the earth, 
            Which else were colder than a stone.

At me the children warm their hands; 
I am their light of love alive.

Without me cold the hearthstone stands, 
Nor could the precious children thrive.

            I am the twist that holds together 
            The children in its sacred ring, 
            Their knot of love, from whose close
             tether No lost child goes a-wandering.