If I could give you diamonds
for each tear you shed when I cried as a babe
holding onto your breast crying all day long 
If I could give you sapphires
for each truth you engraved on my heart
and the basketful of patience you gave me
when I lost hope in my failures in life

If I could give you rubies
for the heartaches you’ve known
ever since I entered this world
and what I could see around me
were frustrations and disappointments
If I could give you pearls
for the wisdom you taught me
in the face of aridity and disenchantments
If I could give you all these

Mother, you’ll have a treasure for all ages

But, I have no pearls nor diamonds,
no silver, no gold, in fact, nothing
all I have is the life you gave me
pure and untainted with time 
and what it can give you
is its devotion, love and care

Thank you for being my mother