Sonnet: To My Mother Dear Poem by Dr John Celes

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 to labor with dedication.

You could not show me grandeur of my life,
But showed me how to live in piety;
You could not find me a much 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 showed me to prayers not ever 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.

6-2-2001

Dedicated to my dearest Mother Stella on behalf
Of all my sisters and brother by Dr John Celes