Bereavement
When someone dear is dead and gone,
Through sudden death or accident,
A lot of misery gets born,
That seems to have no precedent!
When one commits a suicide,
The tragedy, none can accept;
When one has died by homicide,
Nothing can console, nor precept!
Bereavement brings on utter grief,
And takes some people by surprise;
For lucky few, the woe is brief;
Some can’t get over the demise!
Our earthly life brings separations
Unexpected, like bolts from blue;
Some may not bear the frustrations,
And fail to start a life anew!
God allows things to occur still;
Let’s blame Him not for our own faults;
God heals the heart and mind that’s ill;
Breath needn’t return by ‘smelling-salts’!
God knows the aches of every soul,
And cares with love, all beings more;
Sometimes, life’s soup turns sour in bowl;
A better one, God will then pour!
Man must take things as they come on;
Life has its times of joys and woes;
The stricken heart, new hope must don,
And that is how life on earth goes!
So, buck up man, woman and child;
Like changing seasons, things will change;
A balanced mind must not run wild;
Let devils not, your lives derange!
Things will turn better, soon or late;
Nothing is permanent or long;
Patience is needed till that date;
Sing a dirge or divine a song!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 06-10-10
poem by John Celes

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Related quotes
Sonnet- Buck Up Man!
Oh, Buck up-Man! for things don't ever wait;
'Tis good that none know what the morrow brings;
The world is large; But heart of man has hate;
The earth isn't fit for good human Beings.
Oh, Buck up Man! there's lot to do in life;
A lazy man is wasting precious time;
Don't leave to rust but go whet your blunt knife;
Still lots of ways can make your life sublime.
Oh, Buck up Man for Earth will soon be gone;
Prepare your soul for Heaven's banquet then;
And never mind however you were born;
The Lord's Abode is for all righteous men.
Oh, Buck up Man! tomorrow still brings Hope;
Make up your mind and things all you can cope.
poem by John Celes

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Life Or Death?
Every day we live, we always face death
We get closer to it, every time we take a breath
Life is special but death brings peace
Life brings reality and things you believe
Death is hard for everyone around
Death is quiet, no more bad sounds
Life is also hard, all the things we go through
Life can never be easy, no matter what you do
Death is sad, for those who cry
Death is meaningful, for those who die
Life is a work of art, it's nice to look
Life is full of teachings, like an open book
Death is the new life, might as well be dead
Death is a lot more, for what's up ahead
Life brings new things, always something new
Life brings surprises, something out the blue
Death is scary, nothing we want to see
Death is negative, a place we don't want to be
Life is full of love, with the ones close to you
Life is full of money, for those who sue
Death is empty, nothing compared to this
Death is a lot of things, too long of a list
But life is everything; don't wait till there's nothing left
Death can wait, so don't waste your last breath
So just pick your choice, which one? Life or death?
poem by Triauna Hall

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Sonnet: Be Content Man, Always!
Each day, I want to do so many things!
A fraction but I do, of what I’d thought;
Our time gets frittered, tackling strife life brings;
To be contented in our lives, we ought.
The many things we plan don’t turn out well;
Some things we never think of happen right;
Sometimes, our life’s a veritable hell;
Should we yet burn the oil of the mid-night?
Yet, this is how our life on earth goes on;
Just take the things as they come in your wake;
A garb of toil, patience and hope, we don,
And do our duty at least for God’s sake!
Nevertheless, be content Man, always;
Then pleasantly pass off our earthly days!
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: Don’t You Worry
Some things may happen unexpectedly;
No need to fret or fume or feel depressed;
All things do happen for our good only;
Let’s hope that life makes feel less repressed.
We should not change in ways the world expects;
We must not change if principles are lost;
We can adjust to things if world respects;
For everything, there is a risk and cost!
Don’t you worry as God decides all things;
Just take the things as they come up to you;
None can predict the time and things, life brings;
Life brings problems and apt solutions too.
All things in life are transient, ev’n if long;
We have to do things right and not the wrong!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-26-2010
poem by John Celes

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Life’s Uncertain but…
Not all the buds become flowers;
Not all flowers turn into seeds;
Not all the seeds turn into plants!
Not all the plants live long enough.
Why someone commits suicide?
–we really can never know;
But let us not blame him alone,
For ending life, ahead of time.
Not all need do things all alike;
Not all get chances equally;
Not all get similar environs;
Not all need succeed all the time.
Some do decide in ways unique;
Some take risks that others will not;
Some aim and dream much differently;
Some cannot bear failures in life!
Let us not judge the next person;
Let us not make fun of their acts;
Let us not find fault with others;
Let us not misunderstand some.
Whoever is perfect on earth?
Whoever takes right decisions?
Whoever can make predictions?
Whoever knows when one’s life ends?
’Tis sad to hear of suicides;
May be, they have pressures within;
May be, they have ample reasons;
May be, they feel, they’ve done aright!
The stress and strain of life are much;
We must be tolerant always;
Yet, life can give us surprises;
Sometimes, we cannot bear the shame!
But youngsters need to lessen stress;
They must act wisely in distress;
Life has its joys and woes admixed;
Life brings us crosses, laurels too!
Remaining sane is duty prime;
We must not work in hasty ways;
Harsh decisions may be deferred;
Emotions should not rule our mind!
Most problems can be solved with time;
A bit of patience does the trick;
Advice from others works magic;
Why cut the thread of life with ease?
Youngsters must talk to wise elders;
They must not have pent-up feelings;
They must not live with heavy hearts;
Life has more joys to give than woes!
Life’s attitudes must be correct;
Don’t make moot decisions in haste;
Anticipate set-backs in life;
Our life is worth living it full!
Place God within your hearts and minds;
Pray for His help when things go wrong;
Your conscience tells you what is right;
Let darkness not pervade life’s light!
Life is to live the way God wants;
Life is to live most righteously;
Life is to tread the heaven’s path;
Life is to reach God with soul pure!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 10-10-10
poem by John Celes

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Confidence Please
You have done your best;
Leave to God the rest;
Things will soon be fine;
You will also shine!
God knows each one’s heart;
You have done your part;
He does things on time,
Even in worst clime.
Things may look now wild;
Pray fervently, child;
God can wonders do,
To satisfy you.
Let His Will be done;
Victory will be won;
‘Ask and you shall get;
Knock, the door will let! ’
Don’t sulk, fume or fret;
God can do things yet;
Put your trust in Him;
Life will look less grim.
Accept what God gives;
By His word, man lives;
Miracles are true,
Like the sun and dew.
Never give up hope;
All things you can cope;
Don’t query the Lord;
He is Master, God!
Keep your cool in life;
Just ignore your strife;
Things don’t remain same;
Keep alive your aim.
Pray and pray to God;
You will get His nod;
Wait with patience, dear;
There’s nothing to fear!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-21-2010
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: Rule Your Life
Life gives me thorns that appear like roses;
Life gives me strife that become stepping stones;
Life turns desert reminding of Moses;
Life tempts my flesh; I love the ‘marrowed’ bones!
Life gives downpours but I am warm within;
Life gives much sun; I seek the trees’ shadow;
Life gives vices but I avoid big sin;
Life gives machines; I choose the simple hoe.
Life brings me woes but they strengthen my heart;
Life brings landslides but I am upon rock;
Life gives lucre but I prefer the cart;
Life gives fashions but still I love the frock!
Life gives most things I never wish to get;
My selflessness and prudence wins, I bet.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 11-8-2005
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: Our Earthly Life
Our earthly life has anguish and travail,
But dedication can achieve most things;
Yet, ne’er worry if at times you may fail;
Take up your problems as and when life brings.
Labor, we must- there is no cause to fear;
Don’t be afraid, for rampant is life’s strife;
Though fear of not making success is there,
All cannot make it to the dais of life.
The scars life leaves are sometimes deep enough;
The grief life brings is sometimes too propound;
The wounds life makes don’t heal for some are tough;
In Hope, our life’s journey is always bound.
Endure, restart, labor, rededicate;
Many things in life, we must masticate.
6-29-2001
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: To an Absconded Child
Come back, come back, come back my little child;
The love we bear for you is always to true;
The world is bad; Thou art a Lamb so mild;
Come back, come back and start your life anew!
In anger, people may do foolish things;
The home’s the best one place on earth, you know;
Don’t o’er-react to problems life just brings;
Don’t feel ashamed or guilty anyhow.
Not one of us bears hatred towards you;
We love you much and cannot miss you long;
How can we eat or sleep or our work do?
Come back, come back come back, let’s sing a song.
Oh, without you, gone is our life’s sunshine;
Come back; don’t hesitate; things will be fine.
6-29-2001
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: God’s Infinite Love
God gives each one of us a special thing
In earthly life to nurture and improve,
And bear witness to God’s powers and sing
A song of thanks-giving for His great love!
God cares for every creature, big or small
In ways most strange and unimaginable;
He raises us tenderly when we fall,
And heals our wounds until we are stable!
Dissatisfied is man with what he has,
And goes in search of ephemeral things;
But back to God, he some day returns as
His faith divine alone solution brings!
God’s love is infinite and free to all;
Let souls recognize His mysterious call!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-23-2009
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet-On love 'in extremis
Don't love all things on earth with all your heart;
Let not your mind be drench'd with love for it;
For time decides that things all must depart,
And 'tis too late to break your love habit.
Love not your kith and kin in deeper ways;
Love not your Teacher too as God-like, nay;
Love not your spouse and parents deep, in case,
The others can't your love, ever repay.
For, separations come so oft in life;
Our earthly love can turn sometimes to hate;
Your friend who's best can bring you utmost strife!
And people could your love at times mistake.
Yet, love something if it deserves your love,
But more than men, give God your love above.
poem by John Celes

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Life’s Piquant Situations
How can you bash someone, who is your boy,
For the blunder that he makes, however big?
How can you spank your child, who is your girl,
However adamant, she tries to be?
How can you scold a person, who is known,
For cheating you or stealing anything?
How can you hurt a soul, who’s dear to you,
Whatever be the gravity of sin?
How can you curse your parents, when they’re old,
In failing in their duty towards you?
How can you hate your spouse for some mishaps,
Those always happen, despite all your care?
Some situations in life are so piquant;
Life brings embarrassments repeatedly;
These are the times we must remain patient;
Nothing you gain by losing your head cool!
For, many things in life, we must ignore;
To many happenings, turn blind an eye;
To many rumors rife, deafen your ears;
Some things in life could raise each hair on head!
A little bit of patience is needed;
A little bit of prudence is a must;
A little bit of pride, you have to sell;
A little bit of peace costs awfully!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-22-2008
poem by John Celes

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People Nowadays
At times, I feel the world of people all
Around me, who were quite dependable,
Behave almost like enemies of mine,
And I do not know what to do sometimes!
When people close to you and trustworthy,
Appear to do the things that hurt your heart,
The pain and anguish seems too much to bear,
And the experience is too frustrating!
Then, the rosy world thus far turns gloomy,
And living life seems not worthwhile at all;
I have to just put up with how things are,
As people change unpredictably fast!
Yet, they are not my foes but my dear friends,
Who helped me climb life’s ladder with much ease;
I cannot blame them for how they are now;
I can just pray to God to heal their hearts!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 04-11-11
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: Excessive Love is Futile
To love something too much could turn out bad,
For time decides the loss of many things;
When separations make a person mad,
Both peace of mind and heart can take on wings!
Attachment in excess could boomerang;
A bereft state cannot be lived at all;
Possessiveness could work like poison-fang,
Triggering person's defeat and downfall!
Better not to develop attachment much;
All states of life are not so permanent;
Much closeness can offset the magic touch,
As many things in life can cause a dent!
Don't love a thing in ways it doesn't deserve;
Love God alone with heart and mind and serve!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 25-04-2012
poem by John Celes

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When Disaster Strikes
When someone dear to us is dead and gone;
When something happens least unexpected;
When things occur giving us rude a shock,
Our heart is troubled, mind is uneasy
Some scary things may happen suddenly;
Some frightening facts may catch us on wrong feet;
Some eerie moments make earth worse than hell –
Yet, we must keep our cool and sanity!
Our life on earth is full of ‘ups and downs’;
Our temperament must take things as they come;
But anger can’t console an anguished heart;
And hatred only sows seeds of discord!
When strikes disaster, unity is prime;
Love of brethren must dwell in every heart;
Render your mite to mitigate losses;
What happened to others now, can to us!
poem by John Celes

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What man can’t, God can!
Many a time, it seems as though,
A hurdle big has crept in life;
No matter what, we try to do,
We fail to get over the strife.
Sometimes in life, despair engulfs
Our heart and mind with bitterness;
Attempts to overcome may fail,
And ends our joy and happiness!
At times, an accident may bring
A happy home to a grinding halt;
All harmony and peace are lost;
We know it isn’t our dear own fault!
Life brings with it troubles and bliss;
Some happy moments, we may miss;
We yearn for love/ a loving kiss;
What man cannot, God only can!
Life takes us closer to our God;
Our sins appear before our eyes;
We see the love of Jesus Lord;
Our prayers make us rather wise!
Man’s feeble strength may fail sometimes;
Hard-work, efforts may not suffice;
Then God comes back into our lives;
Christ’s death on cross is paid blood-price!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 18-10-11
poem by John Celes

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The Moon Tonight
The haloed moon is not so bright;
Small hammock-shaped, it looks tonight;
’Tis not a very glorious sight;
It spreads a little golden light!
My mind is dull and anguished much;
My heart feels wounded by most things;
My body weakened by the stings
From words of human beings lies!
The things I see aren’t enchanting;
Our earthly life isn’t rewarding;
Life’s harmony seems evading;
But God is one all-pervading!
Life can’t be always just the same;
Sometimes, we seem to lose our aim;
We only tend to others blame;
We forget wherefrom, we all came!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 30-10-’11
poem by John Celes

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My Eightieth Birthday, Today!
Eighty years have gone away,
In a somewhat pleasant way;
God is Master, then, today,
And will be mine, come what may!
As a teacher, life was good;
Life was great in womanhood!
Life was best when in childhood;
Happy I'm, upright I stood!
Duty was my prime dear thing;
God was first in everything;
Joys and woes both, life did bring;
Yet, a happy song, I sing!
Earning wealth was not my aim;
Sharing knowledge brought me fame;
Being wife was just one game;
Dust was whence I truly came!
Kith and kin do always kiss;
Still some things did go amiss;
Husband is one soul, I miss;
Life was mostly joys and bliss!
I had not done something great;
I did just all do, till date;
I didn't trust in luck or fate;
I want heaven's narrow gate!
‘All seems well, ' I'm eighty aged;
Heart feels sometimes, old and caged;
Many battles I had waged;
Life didn't happen as I gauged!
God was friend to me these years;
I have hope in Him, not fears;
Though my earthly life now nears,
I must pray, until He hears!
Fondly dedicated to dear
Mrs.P. Irudaya Mary MA., B.Ed, Teacher
Holy Family Church, Perundurai
By Dr. Celestine, wife Mrs. Mercy,
daughters Catherine & Christina
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-08-12
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: When Things Go Amiss!
When worldly people cause upsets in life,
And times keep changing for the worse for you-
The principled-good suffer in strife:
You have to still your duty rightly do!
Our earthly troubles can’t worry us long;
Our grief and joys are also transient;
Our conscience tells us what is right and wrong;
Our lives are guided by the Omniscient.
Our tormentors will suffer for their wrongs;
Our sufferings end like the seasons too;
Our ears will hear consoling, pleasant songs;
Mysteriously, many things God can do!
No failures need upset our minds for long;
God fills the air soon with His happy song.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 6-5-2006
poem by John Celes

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Awards For Greatness
Not all can get awards though deserving;
Some luck and pluck too decides awardees;
The heart knows if he/she truly deserves;
The rest remain unsung all life on earth!
Awards on earth are not the ultimate;
The greatest feats are forgotten by men;
The greatest men, women are things of past;
Achievers who get lime-light aren't greatest!
All things on earth return to dust with time;
Most famous monuments become rubble;
Even rivers do change their course often;
Nothing is permanent in earthly life!
The luckiest deserving get awards;
The less lucky can't make up to life's peak;
The unlucky forget what awards mean;
A toiling few cannot think of such things!
Yet, human toil must get recognition;
Awards, rewards encourage achievements;
A few are born with silver-spoon in mouth;
The rest great slip into oblivion!
Yet, hopelessness need not fill any mind;
A few are heros/heroines on earth;
A few are great on earth and in heaven;
A few turn greatest only in heaven!
poem by John Celes

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