Ni Maris Gabornes
Dalawang kamay sa aki'y nag-aruga,
Sadyang walang kapantay na pagkalinga.
Nang bata pa'y pinagtitimpla ng gatas,
Pinatatahan naman 'pag umiiyak ng malakas.
Gumabay sa daan ko'y dalawang paa
Kaya't alam ko ang mali
Handa siyang matinik kasama ko;
Isang pares ng mata ang matiyagang nagmasid
Upang sa pain ng paghihirap ay hindi mapatid.
Mula pagkabata hanggang ngayon sa aking buhay,
Umaga man o gabi, walang sawang sumubaybay.
Bibig na sa pangaral ako'y binusog
Kaya maituturing na pati pagkatao ko'y malusog.
Sa mga sermon, ni minsan ay hindi nagkulang
Nagsasabing dapat ako'y maging magalang.
'Pag natatakot ako'y yakap ni Ina.
Maging sa lungkot at pagsasaya, siya'y kasama.
Panatag ang loob kong ako'y hindi niya pababayaan.
Magguho man ang mundo, mananatili siyang nariyan.
Walang kapantay ang dedikasyon mong pinakita,
Nararapat lamang na ika'y bigyan ng gantimpala.
Makakaasa kang mga aral mo'y iingatan.
Mahal na mahal kita Ina, magpakailanman.
*****
Back-story
This is a poem that I've written back in high school. My sister and I gave this as a present for our mom's 51st birthday. It was memorable because it was the year when our family was physically separated from each other. Papa and Kuya Val were abroad because of the nature of their occupation as seafarers; Mama was based in Samar because of her job as a town mayor; Ate Faith was in Los Banos finishing her Chem. Eng. degree; Kuya Mance was studying in Pasay; Chesca and I were still studying in Tacloban.
Our mom's birthday that year fell on a Saturday. Her staff threw a surprise party. They told us later on that she cried at her party because she was alone. All her immediate family members were not there to celebrate her birthday with her. Chesca and I had to participate in a Math quiz-bee in Tacloban so it was already late in the afternoon when we arrived in Samar.
Our mom's birthday that year fell on a Saturday. Her staff threw a surprise party. They told us later on that she cried at her party because she was alone. All her immediate family members were not there to celebrate her birthday with her. Chesca and I had to participate in a Math quiz-bee in Tacloban so it was already late in the afternoon when we arrived in Samar.
I guess that was my first realization of how much Mama values us. She always appears strong and independent, like she's fine by herself. I tend to forget that she's just human too who longs for companionship like the rest of us. And that was the first time I consciously promised myself to protect Mama from sadness.
When I watched her read the poem that afternoon, I had an emotionally overpowering moment. Since an infant up to that day, my survival and existence depended on Mama. But that was my first deliberate acknowledgment of how much I love the woman in front of me. It was as if I was seeing her for the first time. As I looked at her, I saw the woman beneath the sermons, curfews, rules, allowance, and expectations. I was astonished by the woman rich with wisdom and experience, whose heart was filled with contentment and generosity, whose determination and dexterity are unrivaled, and whose soul yearns to lift and serve others. As the moment passed, I was pleased with myself for writing the poem because Mama deserves to know that in our eyes, she is, without question, the greatest mother.
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