My Clinic
My clinic is a ‘church’ in which I pray;
Not many patients flock in anyway;
Some rosaries I manage to well say;
This keeps both devils and my foes away.
The ones that come are poorer than they seem;
‘The rich in cars come only in my dream.’
Most patients brush their teeth with only neem;
My words of solace make their faces gleam.
So, can I fleece my brethren poor and ill?
Can I then hand them inflated a bill?
Can I charge them for just a sample pill?
They live despite the doctor’s care by ‘will! ’
I long to see more patients but be wise;
I dare not try to anyway entice;
My profession is sacrosanct and nice;
I cannot let it turn into a vice!
The only thing I hate is waste my time;
The other thing I hate’s a rainy clime;
But everyday, I write aplenty rime;
I never mind if I earn just a dime!
I scooter daily not more than a mile;
I feel so happy seeing patients smile;
Becoming rich is not my beloved style;
My heart abounds with joy when poor souls file.
When will my practice pick up? - I don’t know;
To God, my art of healing, I just owe;
Rewards in heaven wait for righteous, oh!
To ways God makes me walk, I say not, ‘No! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-10-2006
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: The Patient Poor!
The smiles of gratitude on being healed,
That lights the face of patients very poor,
Gives satisfaction more than covers sealed
From patients wearing shoes high-heeled and fur!
The etiquette of villagers unread,
Surpasses that of urban men ‘degreed’,
Well-dressed in foreign cars, overly fed,
With haughty laughter, showing off their greed!
Oh, what a lovely heart, the poor man has!
His humble voice and stance can lure the Doc;
Diseases strike more poor bodies; Alas,
For them, the health-providers scarcely talk!
The coins of love that patients poor empty
Are worth more weight in gold than dollars free!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 6-1-2006
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: Advice to Doctors
No patient’s mine; no patient remains yours;
The patient comes and goes from Doc to Doc;
If he improves, we simply then rejoice,
Though God’s the key to the diagnostic-lock!
All patients ail and expect some relief;
A doctor’s duty is to help him out;
All patients speak the truth; Time is the thief;
To use his knowledge best, all Doctors ought.
Fleece not the poor; cheat not the ones who’re sick;
God is the Healer prime; He uses us;
Off not life’s candle-flame with intact wick;
The Doctor shirking work invites God’s curse!
Lose not Ethics; lose not your morals, Doc!
Like patients, Doctors are part of God’s flock.
8-28-2002
poem by John Celes

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I’m Proud, an Indian Doctor
I’m proud an Indian doctor;
I have a billion lives to save;
In practice, let me not falter;
But with my patients well behave.
’Tis thrilling to serve fellowmen,
Suff’ring from newer disease;
Let me use my fullest ken,
And teach them how to live in peace.
My country is a poor nation;
My brethren need my treatment;
So, let me serve with passion;
And free them from their ailment.
God turned me to be healer great;
And serve my fellowmen ill;
Let me improve patient’s fate;
By using my God-given skill.
I’m proud to serve my brethren;
God will bless me some day, some way;
A Doctor turns earth to heaven-
Some day, my patients will sure say!
poem by John Celes

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100 days as Medical College Dean (B)
And Lo! I am now here
Seated in the Dean’s chair,
Breathing unpolluted air;
Trying to be quite fair.
Sending occasional glare;
Sometimes, I am a hare;
But that happens quite rare;
There no time to stare.
There’s time not to nails pare;
There isn’t time for patients’ care;
I work for everyone’s welfare;
I use not lift but stair.
There is so much to do;
There are many to woo;
Expecting my Waterloo,
I work hard and pray too.
This is so different;
This job is interesting;
So full of challenges;
I love to fight and win.
I’ve cut my foes to size;
I will be always nice;
I avoid every vice;
This isn’t like playing dice.
Some try to me entice;
I’m cautious and wise;
I take new enterprise;
I hate hearing white lies.
I try to help a lot;
I refuse to be bought;
Some try to have me caught;
‘Wars’ many, I’ve fought.
From God, zeal I’ve got;
The clime is pretty hot;
Yet, I’m a mere clay-pot!
And I must not ev’r rot.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 1-27-2009
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: May Doctors Heal with Love
Let all the world's people remain healthy!
Let scientists find cures for every disease;
Let health make everyone happy, wealthy;
Let's hope that mankind's pain and sufferings cease!
Let doctors make their profession nobler;
Let ethics guide their minds in decisions;
Let love of life covert their art simpler;
Let scalpels cut out better incisions!
Let doctors put their heart and soul to heal;
Let love of brethren bring out soothing words;
Let God help doctors, patients' anguish, feel;
Let words be magic potions and not swords!
Let doctors do just good, avoiding harm;
Let them serve God by making patients warm!
Dean of IRT PMC &H Perundurai, Tamilnadu
Dr. A.Celestine Raj Manohar MD wishes
"Happy Doctor's Day,2012! " to all doctors in India
Copyright by Dr John Celes 30-06-12
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: Lamentations of an Upright Doctor
Oh God, my lord, I want to be upright!
Could I send patients with pockets empty?
When poor and sick a person comes to me.
My conscience tells me whatever is right.
Though he be rich, could I him ever fleece?
Where is the need for too costly treatment,
Except to take back money for my rent?
I can’t charge him hence, exorbitant fees.
When cure can come for rupees only ten,
Then all I need to do is speak kind words;
Can I waste money ev’n if he affords?
Where is the need to admit him often?
God, let me keep my ethics in this world!
Heaven is not attained by any gold.
poem by John Celes

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Doctor, You Must Beware!
Doctor, do you play God?
Your work is but slip-shod;
Patients call you just sod;
Are you a demi-god?
You care for lives galore,
Or waste your time sea-shore;
You work like a bee-hive;
If not, patients’ lives nose-dive!
Lives lie in your skill’d hand;
You wave a magic-wand;
You can postpone their death,
But not for long, I bet!
You may advise others
On health aspects, brothers;
Modern day stress can kill
And make anyone ill.
Moderation’s the best;
Common-sense makes up the rest;
Prudence is much better;
Spirit does too matter.
What the use if you can save
A hundred lives but rave?
For more is being lost
And none can afford the cost!
When wealth, you had sought,
A car, a house, you bought;
Had children and a wife,
Spared no time for own life!
You ate sans exercise;
Then came sudden demise;
You must forget your lands;
Your life is in God’s Hands!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-26-1999
poem by John Celes

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Doctor's Day 2012
Most Doctors…
Try their best to heal;
Do not try to steal;
Use their ken to deal
With patient's problems and do feel!
All Doctors…
Are just humans too;
Try to be humane and do
Their duty with ethics due,
Upgrading knowledge new.
A few Doctors…
May make errors great;
May fleece patients poor;
May not perform to their best,
And earn a bad name for the rest!
Doctors…
Are a noble lot and lucky slot,
Whose toil is praised but soon forgot;
Sacrifice their life-times but cannot
Find time to check own health from rot!
Wish Doctors all, ‘A Happy Doctors Day! '
May they labour, come what may;
For their kind work, may God repay
With heaven, and bless them His way!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 29-05-2012
poem by John Celes

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The Medical Profession
Awards, rewards cannot suffice,
A doctor's life's mere sacrifice;
A unique, prolonged enterprise,
For which he's praised or pays the price!
Nevertheless, the work is nice;
But he must learn to keep off vice;
From other's faults, becoming wise,
Money must never him entice!
From start to end, it is sheer toil;
He always burns the mid-night oil;
His character, conduct shouldn't spoil;
He learns patience and not to boil!
He must heed to his conscience;
He is a man who dwells in science;
He ought to keep his ethics good,
And love his duty, brotherhood!
God is the Healer in essence;
Doctors are souls in quintessence;
His craft and art need common-sense;
The stress and strain shouldn't make him tense!
Respect the doctor for his job;
To pay Paul, he may Peter, rob;
The world can't thrive without doctors;
He faces challenging factors.
But God is by his side always;
Through perils, strife, he passes days;
And satisfaction becomes base
That goads him do well in each case!
The world must thank doctors, like God;
May they live long sans any rod;
They slog to maintain patients' health;
Doctors are nation's priceless wealth!
"Happy Doctor's Day,2012! "
To all my teachers, colleagues, friends, and medicos.
From Dean, Dr.Prof. A.Celestine Raj Manohar MD., IRT PMC & H &RTS, Perundurai
Copyright by Dr John Celes 01-05-2012
poem by John Celes

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The Very Thing That Makes You Rich
My father told me, lying on his bed of death,
"boy," he says, "woman she's gonna make it, don't fool your self
'cause she's got something to make a man lay that money, uh, right in her hand
And the very thing that makes her rich will make you poor
The very thing that makes her rich will make you poor"
That's right!
Well, i put you behind the wheel of a deuce and a quarter, yes i did
Had you living like a rich man's daughter, yes i did, i sure did
While you were living high on the hog
You had me down here scuffling like a dog
Well, the very thing that makes you rich makes me poor
The very thing that makes you rich makes me poor
Don't you never ever make such a bad mistake
You know i'd rather climb into bed with a rattlesnake
Then to work hard every day bringing that woman all my pay
The very thing that makes you rich makes me poor,
Makes me so damn poor
The thing that makes her rich makes me poor
The very thing that makes you rich make me poor
Very thing that makes you rich makes me poor
Makes me so damned poor
Money won't change it, no no...
song performed by by Ry Cooder

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Happy World Nurses Day 2012! ' (Advance Wishes from a Doctor)
Nurses are …
The ones who aid the doctors heal,
With tender loving care;
The ones who watch the patients feel
The pain, and help them fare!
The ones who stay bed-side and see
The sufferings of those ill;
The ones who treat the malady
By checking drugs and bill!
The ones who say words of kindness
To allay fear, console;
The ones who bring back happiness
To patients by their role!
The ones who make the beds for sick,
And tuck them off to sleep;
The ones who raise, bring down the wick,
Responding to each beep!
The ones who work the magic full,
And keep the ailing clean;
Those ones bring heaven upon hell,
To sick in earthly scene!
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: Why is my Medical Practice Dull?
I wonder why my practice ne’er picks up!
I’ve tried to correct lapses on my side;
My practice always stays my woeful cup;
Each eve, I muse while on my scooter-ride!
I ponder why but it is of no use;
The profit made is not a sum worthwhile;
My precious time improves my soaring muse;
Will God not see my prayerful plea-file?
And yet, my mind is steadfast as a rock;
I can’t discern the plans God has for me;
I cannot bear the ways people can mock;
How can I fleece the men of poverty?
Perhaps, my clinic is a place to pray!
God leads His righteous souls in strange a way!
poem by John Celes

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International Nurses’ Day,2009
Long time ago, a Nightingale
In human form, from Florence town,
Had rent the air, with tunes of joy,
Comfort and hope and painfree days,
For ailing souls and suffering ones,
And those about to die!
Known as the ‘Lady with the Lamp’,
She went across from bed to bed,
In hospitals and zones of war,
To heal the sick and bandage wounds,
From dawn to dusk and through the night,
With smiling face that made all bright!
The Founder of the nursing stock,
Had left her hundreds of her flock,
To render loving care for all
Diseased and sick, in throes of death,
Awaiting exit from this earth,
To where, suffering has no birth!
May nurses all, follow her call,
To render service globally,
To patients distressed by disease,
In times of war and times of peace,
And make the earth a paradise,
For just a paltry price!
The world can’t go on sans nurses!
The profession must noble stay;
And bestow love that patients need,
By selfless service, without greed.
Greetings to nurses on this day!
Let fame and fortune come your way;
All doctors join me, just to say,
‘A Truly, Happy Nurses’ Day! ’
Fondly dedicated to all nurses,
By the Dean, IRT PMC, Perundurai.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-12-2009
poem by John Celes

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I’m so happy to note…
That someone so well known to me,
Who worked quite hard in life for long,
Has found mind’s peace and harmony,
And sings aloud a blissful song!
That someone who deserved limelight,
Has found his golden touch at last,
And has become to patients, ‘Light’,
With his own venture very fast.
That someone who admired much,
For patient teaching of students,
For wisdom, knowledge, skills, talents,
Has found at last, his golden touch.
That one good heart is heart of town,
As cardiac doctor of renown,
And saving hearts that fail to work,
And giving life to ‘dead’ by jerk!
‘I wish you all the best, doctor!
God is the healing True Factor!
Your smiling face, I wish to see,
As patients thank you heartily! ’
Fondly dedicated to Dr. N. Bhaskar, M.D., D.M.,
Cardiologist, CBE
poem by John Celes

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Happy Doctors’ Day,2008
All doctors are not demi-gods;
No doctor is miraculous;
All doctors are human beings,
Who help the sick and try to cure.
But doctors deal with human lives;
The profession’s noblest of all;
The Healer is Almighty God;
The doctor is His instrument.
The world is rife with ailments new;
The doctor strives his best to cure;
The doctor lessens suffering;
The miracles are done by God.
Yet, newer therapies have come;
The future for patients is bright;
Let people be more health-aware,
And live lives longer happily.
‘A Happy Doctors’ Day, ’08! ’
Pray God gives cures for more ailments;
The body’s, mind’s health stands foremost;
The doctor is like you, human.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-1-2008
poem by John Celes

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We have really good data that show when you take patients and you really inform them about their choices, patients make more frugal choices. They pick more efficient choices than the health care system does.
quote by Donald Berwick

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Happy Doctor's Day,2012! ' Let All Indians Say Today
Respect the white coat that all doctors wear;
Respect the stethoscope with which they hear;
Respect the prescriptions they write and tear;
Respect all doctors for they truly care!
To treat diseases, some doctors do dare;
They try their best for all patients to fare;
Some of them are doyens, pioneers rare;
Some do miraculous feats, at which all stare!
Wish doctors all, ‘A Happy Doctors Day! '
Thank them for their hard work and pray today;
Remember, they keep diseases at bay;
Most doctors do their jobs in noble way!
'Happy Doctor's Day,2012 in INDIA! '
From a Doctor Dean, Medical Teacher and Poet
IRT PMC&H & RTS, Perundurai, TN., India
Copyright by Dr John Celes 01-06-2012
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: Trust Not the Rich
The world is large but people’s minds are small!
They do not trust the God who loves man much;
They blunder often, repeatedly fall;
They want their hands to have the ‘golden touch’!
Beware of nations rich with much resource;
They lead the world in every field they choose;
They steer the poorer ones clearly off-course,
And hang their economy’s neck by noose!
The world today doesn’t care for poorer men;
The rich usurp all pow’r and ill-treat rest;
They neglect downtrodden and poor brethren;
The poor can’t rise although being the best.
Don’t trust the rich but stay independent;
The rich make slaves out of those dependent!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 1-28-2010
poem by John Celes

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Old Dr. Valentine To His Son
Your hopeless patients will live,
Your healthy patients will die.
I have only this word to give:
Wonder, and find out why
poem by Ogden Nash

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Doctor’s Day,2010(acrostic)
Doctors are a noble lot
Often misunderstood, a slot
Caring for the sick and dying
They comfort the anguished and crying
One true noble profession, world envies
Really doing yeoman service
Sacrificing precious time for patients’ sake
Demanding not much in return
Always ready to save lives
Yet, the world seems dissatisfied!
‘Happy Doctor’s Day! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-1-2010
poem by John Celes

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