A Leader’s Sad Demise
A former PM was banished;
The charm of the land has vanished;
A valiant leader is no more;
The hearts of many are quite sore.
One selfish man denies the rest,
Democracy that is the best
For Pakistan, India’s neighbor;
People shouldn’t give up their labor!
A glorious lady’s soul is lost;
No money can equal her cost;
Who will don her mantle from now?
There is no answer right now, oh!
Can elections be held now fair?
The stench of blasts is in the air;
God knows if ’tis a bane or boon;
God grant the people calmness soon.
May God grant her Eternal Rest!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-28-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Indian Democracy Can Be Truly Great!
If Indians can be patriotic more,
Democracy will thrive in our country;
If love for Motherland is truly great,
More Indians will get awards o'gallantry.
If leaders elected are more honest,
Elections will be held infrequently;
If people nurture civic sense and toil,
The nation will progress tremendously,
If love of fellowmen afills our hearts,
Poverty, illiteracy can't exist;
If duty to the nation remains first,
India can make a meteoric rise.
If women's, children's freedom is ensured,
The nation can forge ahead in great leaps;
If elderly are taken care of well,
God's blessings will be soon upon this land!
If people care for health and avoid vice,
Crime-rates will fall upon this sacred soil;
If love of peace and co-existence stays,
Exemplary will India become soon.
Jai Hind!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 15-08-2012
poem by John Celes
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To Jyothi Basu – A Loving Tribute: The ‘Lamp’ is dead: Its light will always stay!
The ‘Lamp’ that lit the homes of myriad souls,
Who toiled, tilled, slogged as Indians proud, galore,
And stayed as guiding light achieving goals,
Has lost its oil and wick, and burns no more!
It stood as beacon for numerous souls,
Who flocked to him for wisdom that they sought,
And always got much more than they had thought;
The Lamp is gone but light it shone will stay!
The doyen worked his way uphill in life;
He stood beside all workers in their strife;
He was a perfect man, so rarely found,
He could have become mountain but stayed mound!
‘Hats off’ to leaders great who simple stay,
And lead unselfishly for others, way;
Who hold on party-men a trance-like sway,
Who lived for good principles every day!
The Lamp had burned for others sake for long;
Its light remains in hearts of myriad souls;
His glorious work will stay alive by song;
The man of mettle, heart of steel hadn’t holes!
No wonder, leaders praise him all sky-high!
His honest national service cannot die;
He left too big a void to be filled nigh;
His love for India is too great to vie!
‘God grant his soul eternal rest’, we pray!
May others follow his footsteps and way;
‘His example was golden’, people say;
He shines in hearts of many souls each day!
The ‘lamp’ is dead: Its light will always stay!
Dedicated in loving memory of the demised soul!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 1-17-2010
poem by John Celes
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Oh, what do I do?
Oh,
What do I do
If people do
Not want to change
For their own good?
What do I do
If people want
To fight in vain
In angry mood?
What do I do
If people love
To do those things
They should not do?
What do I do
If people try
To slander and
Much gossip too?
What do I do
If people do
Not live in peace
With fellow-men?
What do I do
If people bear
Ill-will and grudge
Against brethren?
What do I do
If people strive
To live in vice,
And not advice?
What do I do
If people will
Not share excess
With country-men?
What do I do
If people like
To live in sin
And hate, within?
What do I do
If people don’t
Amend their lives
And turn soul-wise?
What do I do
If people waste
Their precious time
In ego prime?
The things men do
And women too,
Hurt minds and hearts,
Like arrows, darts!
The things they do
Can anger God,
To give His nod
For divine rod!
Oh, will not men
Give up their pride
Or their sins hide,
In God abide?
Copyright by Dr John Celes 8-24-2007
poem by John Celes
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Shri. Pranab Mukherjee, the New Prez of India
Democracy has always proved the fact -
The better man does win the voters' hearts;
The better statesman gains a clear mandate;
The better leader turns victorious.
India's new President has won the race
To Rashtrapathi Bhavan in great style;
Deserving win for Pranab Mukherjee -
An elderly man with great energy!
The congressman is now first citizen!
Six decades of politics paid off well!
An administrator par excellence;
A man with many feathers in his cap!
A glorious peak for a politician!
A mighty man of mettle's lofty lift!
A great reward for one with immense grit;
An adorable Indian with fine wit!
Kudos to India's thirteenth President!
May he live long and reign God-willingly!
May he fulfill the Indians' cherished dreams!
May he make India powerful and great!
"Well done parliamentarian, Congrats! "
Copyright by Dr John Celes 25-07-'12
poem by John Celes
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Money Isn’t the Answer
Can money give you ample sleep at night?
Can money bring you satiety you want?
Can money soothe the heart and mind aggrieved?
Can money resurrect a person dead?
Can money cause fertility in wombs?
Can money heal the wounds of minds and hearts?
Can money make up for one’s parents’ love?
Can money work a miracle you want?
Can money cure a cancer of grade four?
Can money bring joy to a childless pair?
Can money purchase your seat in heaven?
Can money solve all problems that you face?
There are so many things money can’t do;
Your trust in God and labor, matter too.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-27-2008
poem by John Celes
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Why Blame...
Why blame the state of things around
For what they are, and how they are?
Each one must take the blame sans sound
For freedom’s misuse, use unfair!
Why blame a group that’s money-mad
For being so, when most are bad?
All hearts have loved money from birth,
And dreamt that it does give all mirth!
Why blame the air and water, soil,
For our ill-health, and lazy toil?
If each one did his duties well,
Our land need not be lust like hell!
Why blame others for faults our own,
And misdemeanour that’s self-grown?
Each rotten fruit can spoil the rest
However good, even the best!
Why blame the leaders for mis-rule,
When voter stays an instant fool?
The empowered must know limits,
And do just things the land befits!
Why blame the creeds and people’s mix
For landing us in queer a fix?
Nothing on earth can stay all pure,
Like diseases defying cure!
Why blame fair God for what we are
And seething problems, we can’t bear?
The power given to a few
Has rained on all as poison-dew!
Why blame and play a ‘blaming-game’,
When all must bow their heads in shame?
The freedom got through blood and sweat
Eludes the common masses, yet!
Why people have not become wise,
And blame others for each one’s vice?
Let patriotism and thought
Remain for land, brethren in heart!
When hearts and minds have gone corrupt,
Selfishness stays, progress disrupts;
When love for fellow-men stays high,
Then, freedom’s sense and truth can’t die!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 15-9-11
poem by John Celes
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Lokpal Bill Debate
The nation’s people wish him ‘all the best
May God grant Anna Hazare good rest
Lokpal debate will end victoriously
The resolution will come out grandly
Thanks to efforts by Anna in this way
Corruption henceforth will be held at bay
India cannot afford to lose its wealth
More than a billion need good food and health
All hope day twelve will end Anna’s fast fast
Indians’ sufferings will be a thing of past
The Lok Sabha will deliver its goods
Let people come out safely from the woods
All honest people thank Anna for his
Great fight glorious, exemplary, with bliss
He gave his heart and soul to fight this crime
He did so well but did not have much time
The act of valour will be etched in gold
In time’s history, related and retold
Like Gandhi, Anna has done great a thing
Anna is the Anti corruption King
India can progress faster here after
The common man can live with smiles, laughter
The love of lucre will abate a lot
Because of second Freedom, Anna got
Kudos to Anna Hazare, the Great
Who changed common man’s miserable fate!
May Anna Hazare live long with health
He is the Indian nation’s priceless wealth
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: When Unfairly Rejected, Don’t Get Dejected!
When every time I face an election,
And get defeated by one shamefully,
I thank my stars and curb my emotion;
I accept voters’ verdict gratefully!
A Lion shouldn’t lead beasts of vile nature;
An honest man shouldn’t change his virtuous trait;
My talents, God will show how to nurture;
No one can change some foolish people’s fate!
A righteous king can’t rule an evil land;
The lazy-bones want leader too moron;
In everything, you see Almighty’s Hand!
He crowns the upright people with a sun!
The Lord has greater plans for righteous souls;
Prepare your mind and heart for newer roles!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-25-2006
poem by John Celes
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Do Not Steal
Do not steal another’s name;
Do not steal your neighbor’s fame;
Do not steal next person’s house;
Do not steal someone’s spouse.
Do not steal one’s money;
Do not steal someone’s honey;
Do not steal other’s labor;
Do not steal things from neighbor.
Do not steal another’s job;
Do not steal from poorer mob;
Do not steal next man’s limelight;
Do not steal another’s might.
Do not steal another’s health;
Do not steal your neighbor’s wealth.
Do not steal next person’s praise;
Do not steal from human race.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-20-2008
poem by John Celes
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Forgive and Forget
So often do we fall into big sin;
Sometimes, we sin by habit endlessly!
And when we ask God’s forgiveness for sins,
Does not the merciful God forgive us?
Many are our trespasses to others;
When God forgives us, shouldn’t we our brothers?
If God punishes man without mercy,
Not a single soul can reach heaven!
Forgive your brethren just as God forgives our faults;
Forget others’ trespasses for God’s sake;
Forgive ev’n your foes if you can at times;
God surely will reward us our kind acts.
‘Love your neighbor as thyself, ’ said Jesus;
And Jesus died for mankind’s sins, not His!
How lovely is the love of God for man!
Then love our neighbor likewise, we all can!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-3-2007
poem by John Celes
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Grant Us Peace, Father of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael
Grant us peace,
that we may not oppress our neighbors
Grant us justice,
that we may not enslave our neighbors
Grant us sanity,
that we may not torture our neighbors
Grant us mercy,
that we may not murder our neighbors
Grant us conscience
that we may not expel our neighbors
Grant us love,
that we may hunger for truth
Grant us discernment
that we may know what is ours, and what is not
Grant us decency
that we may return what we stole
Grant us courage
that we may admit what we’ve done
Give us strength to atone.
Ask only
that we end our silence.
US ELECTIONS, Nov 2004
Its all over for now
And perhaps, for the next four years to come!
Months of hard work has come
to an end all of a sudden.
Whatev'r the outcome, it was great!
The people have given their verdict
as to who should lead the country
once again!
And this is how Democracy works;
A deep divide exists howev'r
amongst the voters today;
There can be just one victor;
The other concedes defeat.
It is time to unite;
It is time to heal;
It is time to understand the fact that
A few thousand voters can change
A nation's destiny!
The loser is NOT really a loser!
He had mustered almost half the votes;
He represents a colossal figure of hearts
That are still behind him
always.
So, the victor should NOT gloat,
Nor revel or lose his head;
He was just lucky to stay ahead,
For, God was by his side.
Now is the time to think
And ponder why so many
Voted against him;
Now is the time to sink
The differences and work
For the common good of all.
There is no time to waste;
And one mustn't be in haste;
A nation has problems beset,
That have defied solutions yet.
Emotions will run high;
Many will simply cry;
For success that was nigh,
Eluded the other guy.
But this is how it works-
the people's mandate!
Forget the past mistakes;
Start afresh today;
There are problems galore;
And come will many more!
For now, the elections are o'er;
Heal the hearts that are sore!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 11-4-2004
Dedicated to the US President, George W. Bush,
Winner of the Nov 2004 US Presidential Elections
poem by John Celes
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Post-independent India
A populous country neglected stays!
Decades six have sped off since freedom -days;
Democracy remains its vital base;
Integrity's un-reinforced always!
A billion people's talent stays as such;
No leader has given the Midas touch;
Ignored is health of common people much;
Their future lies in doldrums, none to vouch!
Across the sacred soil, run rivers great;
Yet, internecine war-fares don't abate;
A few divide citizens by speech-hate!
A love of fellow-men misses till date!
Despite the many problems, India has done well;
Good leaders must soon toll the progress-bell;
A wizened heart must remove all pell-mell;
Heaven should come alive amidst the hell!
Let patriotic feelings afill hearts;
Let love replace the hatred/pride like darts;
Let peace prevail in every state, all parts;
Let loving people live longer like arts!
Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 19-08-12
poem by John Celes
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On Terrorists
Why kill the persons in the streets?
Why maim the innocent children?
Why bomb schools, temples and cities?
Why destroy lives and property?
Why make the world more insecure?
Why spread ‘fear psychosis’ ’midst men?
Why blame others for your own faults?
Why gain the curse fellowmen?
Why kidnap persons aimlessly?
Why ravish people senselessly?
Why murder people ruthlessly?
Why invite wrath of Almighty?
The brave fight soldiers uniformed;
The valiant harm not citizens;
Just cowards kill poor unarmed men;
Terrorists can’t get people’s love!
Life is most precious wealth on earth;
Revengeful hearts cannot find peace;
A few can’t hold rest to ransom;
‘To kill and be killed’ is insane!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 8-29-2008
poem by John Celes
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All Soul's Day
They throng the tombs of near and dear,
To pray for souls in Purgatory;
They offer masses, light candles,
And place flowers on cemetery.
They visit tombs of orphans, friends,
And hear Requiem masses this day;
They give alms, singing hymns for dead,
Pleading for God's mercy and pray.
No soul is sinless on dying;
The soul must be freed off all sins;
The venial sins forgotten need
To be dumped in Purgatory's bins!
We ought to pray for all the dead,
Our kith and kin and strangers too;
The dead cannot do more penance,
And earn the grace of God on own!
November is the month to pray
To God to grant eternal rest,
For all awaiting Judgment's Day,
And help them pass the final Test!
Let light perpetual shine on souls
In Purgatory, where they are cleansed;
Pardon them Lord and release them;
Permit them to enter Heaven!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-11-12
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: The New President of India
A Scientist top has occupied the chair
Of President of India just today!
The ‘missile-man’ who darts off like a hare;
A pioneer in his field all the way.
Most people’s hearts are overwhelmed with joy!
A man of science will change our future fast;
He struggled all the way up since a boy;
A man of iron-will and glorious past.
This man of science believes in God as well!
A Poet too, he spreads his love-message;
His actions wise, his mettle soon will tell;
A war on ignorance, he will first wage.
India will become a Super- Pow’r soon!
And Indians will be up there on the Moon!
9-2-2002
Dedicated by Dr John Celes
To His Excellency, Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam,
The present President of India
poem by John Celes
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My Dream of India
I dream a dream of India,
That makes me happy and so proud;
The Asian vast peninsula-
Its glorious past makes me sing loud!
Oh, what a priceless heritage,
My Motherland is in the globe!
For sixty years, ‘bird out of cage’:
It wears a democratic robe.
Its people is its main resource;
Its integrity- its beauty;
Its unity, a unique force;
Its citizens, of love, duty!
Let communal differences go;
Let caste and regional wars abate;
Let dexterity help us more;
Let love replace the hearts of hate!
Let’s be an example to world;
Let peace prevail in every sphere;
Let’s tend to poor, downtrodden, old;
Let’s progress with minds without fear.
None should stay hungry any day;
None should stay unsheltered, I pray;
None should lie naked on the way;
God loves India- we all must say!
We want to live in amity;
We want to help our neighbors all;
We want to keep sagacity;
We’ll rise higher, each time, we fall!
My Bharat should aim for the stars!
My land should stay away from wars;
My eyes should see this dream come true;
Let’s work for this goal, me and you.
Where children smile like sun-light beams;
And content paints the Indian door-
This is the India of my dreams!
My Motherland, I love, adore.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 8-12-2007
poem by John Celes
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Futile Ways of Man
I fling the dirt, onto the ground
Near-by my house, heaped like a mound;
And then the wind with fury blows;
From whence, it came, the dirt back goes! ,
I take the cob-webs off the wall;
Some spiders escape by their fall;
They form the cob-webs once again,
With speeds that can turn one insane!
I sprinkled ant-powder one day;
All ants have vanished for just now;
I see them come another way,
To eat the spilt sugary dough!
I spray insecticide to kill
The cock-roaches that run freely;
A few are dead after the drill;
The rest return some day surely!
Some centipedes enter strangely
Into a house that’s kept so clean;
I know they can cause allergy!
Such creatures mean, I’ve never seen!
The ways of man are just futile;
Most acts on earth are wasteful ones;
We wear a mask and yet can smile;
Our labor goes awaste in tons!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-12-2007
poem by John Celes
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Happy Marriage Anniversary
United were two hearts,
Before one, living God,
As husband and his wife,
For rest of earthly life.
And then, they bore a child
That gave them joy so wild;
’Tis better that souls two,
Their Christian duties do;
If one happens to fall,
The other helps it stall.
So, love your spouse whole-heartedly;
And live God’s way unitedly!
In Jesus Christ, the road to Heav’n
Is easy, straight and quite even!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-15-2007
poem by John Celes
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Happy New Year 2012 (a song)
Happy New Year, Two Thousand Twelve!
With hope anew, let us all delve;
Forget the past year’s woes galore;
To each, God opens newer door!
Happy New Year, resolve sans fears;
Pray God should give all lesser tears;
Why waste money going to moon?
Our earth is wealthy, great a boon!
Happy New Year, aim to labour;
To brethren, no hatred harbour;
To share our love, God wants us to;
The rest of things, He’ll surely do!
Happy New Year, give others joy;
Obey your parents, if girl or boy;
Pray God gives leaders, clear minds, hearts;
You give your mite and do your parts!
Happy New Year, live and let live;
Help the poor; to God, glory give;
This earth can turn a Paradise,
If toil can all, becoming wise!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 30-12-11
poem by John Celes
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