You could not give me land or gold or wealth,
But helped me get precious education;
You could not give me luxuries but health,
But showed labor mixed with dedication.

You could not show me the grandeur of Life,
But showed me how to live in piety;
You could not find me a wealthier wife,
But showed me how to do true charity,

You could not show me pomp and show and bliss,
But showed me how to live God-fearingly;
You should me my prayers to never miss,
And showed me speak the truth so daringly.

You could not guide me how to reach my goal,
But showed me how to keep holy, my soul.

6-23-2003 by Dr John Celes
dedicated to my most belov'd and revered Great Mother who lives a courageous life at eighty-five in an old, ramshackled, dwelling place in Coimbatore, T.N., India

Dr John Celes

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sonnet-my-mother-dear/