Mother I Love You

Mother, my hands have never wiped your sleep scarred eyes Offered you the offering of blood, breast, and unshed tears Temple of prayers found in you, sanctuary of troubled years Hands crossless bleeding, caring for the child hope did despise Emblem of virtue in self giving, strength's reservoir, my beauty, Rest not in pearl of past glory, unflinching love to onerous duty Integrity is the garment of the wise, none wears it like you Love so lovely, discipline so comely, example of patience true Operas had no song to sing like milk or your morning dew Virtue no image as bright, or dedicated teacher kind like you Emerald of unjewelled days, darling, sweet mother, I love you. Years have left undiminished your living sterling and giving Opal of the starless heart, I give the diamond of skies to you Urging me to use for building bricks blocks set for stumbling. II Mother I wish you were here still Offering me guideance and strength of will Teaching me to negotiate the earth Harbour of my weary vessel when I berth Ego dry, empty of grace and vision to see Rebuilding, reshaping virtue and character in me Instructor of the heart, the hands and the head Lady of women apart, I cry still in my bed Only true love, your sting and rebuke repairing Virtue in me. Mother, I love you still, darling Eternal memories comfort me when I'm in dread. Yearn my heart to hear sing through the night Onward through rain or cloud drenched sunlight Under no circumstance surrender, mother, you said.