Sonnet: My Good Shepherd
God made me a just a ‘Lamb’, so meek and mild,
And placed me in a world of wolves and snake;
I know I cannot cope on in the wild,
But still, I graze His meadow for His sake!
I know I could fall victim of some ‘beast’!
My Good Shepherd always remains with me;
I must spruce up for His Heavenly Feast;
I eat His grass and leaves, innocently!
And other dangers lurk around, I know;
Some terrains look quite perilous to me;
To my Shepherd, my safety, health, I owe;
He watches over me so Masterly!
And many times, He saved me from Death’s jaws!
I’ve learnt to keep myself quite clean to paws.
1-19-2000 by Dr John Celes
Dedicated to my most revered father
Shri. A.T.Antoniswami M.A., L.T., (late)
Coimbatore, T.N., INDIA
On his birthday
and
Published in the IRT PMC & H, Perundurai,
College Magazine
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
The Shepherd
The shepherd goads his sheep by staff,
And leads them on to pastures green,
Instructing them to watch for wolves
That come in sheep-skin, in their midst!
The shepherd knows each sheep by name,
And calls them sweetly when they stray,
Or when they near the ledge atop
A valley deep or hill-side steep!
The sheep too know their shepherd's call,
And graze on meadows, keeping near;
They know he is their protector,
And will save them at any cost!
How safe it is when shepherd's near!
No sheep can ever lose its way;
The shepherd takes care of the flock,
But cannot bear to see one, lost!
Dedicated to Rev. Fr. Xavier Claudius, Parish Priest,
Holy Family Church, Perundurai, by his beloved parishioners
Copyright by Dr John Celes 31-05-2012
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sonnet: Good Shepherd’s Love
One sheep amongst the hundred, if gets lost,
The Good Shepherd begins to search for it,
Returning when ’tis found at any cost –
Lamb gets His shoulders upon which to sit!
God seeks and saves the lamb that’s gone astray!
He will not rest until lost one is found;
He leaves the ninety-nine behind that day;
He leads them on to newer grazing-ground.
What love, the Shepherd’s heart bears for His sheep!
He tends to every lamb with equal care;
Yet, some decide to take the plunge down steep,
And meet their death, despite His warnings bare.
The Good Shepherd will not forsake one sheep!
No wolves in sheep-skin dare to come or creep.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-7-2008
poem by John Celes
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The Lamb and the Wolf (Ballad)
I saw a lamb to wolf turn prey!
I saw it kill’d in gruesome way;
The lamb was rather small, I say;
I saw it frolicking that day;
It bleated while busy at play;
That day, its life, it had to pay;
And soon, I heard a plaintive cry;
The grass was smeared by lamb’s blood dry!
My good shepherd, “Did you not know? ”
My God, “Did You all this allow? ”
The wolf was dressed in fine lamb-skin;
It killed by habit, kith and kin;
Like lamb, it spoke and went so near;
It acted friendly, allayed fear;
It took the lamb afar to play;
The lamb was foolish on that day;
It was so meek and frail, not bold;
It wished to see the far-off world.
My good shepherd, “Did you not know? ”
My God, “Did You all this allow? ”
The wolf then took the lamb away,
To steep a cliff with grass to play;
In moment’s time, it pushed it down;
The foul-play was almost half-done;
The lamb remained so very dazed;
That it was live, kept me amazed;
Before it could then recover,
The wolf made plans to devour.
My good shepherd, “Did you not know? ”
My God, “Did You all this allow? ”
The wolf noticed the lamb’s sad plight
And asked if it was quite alright;
It said, “I’ll take you to mother.”
The lamb believed the lie, brother!
It took it round and round and round;
There was no sign of flock on ground;
The lamb had gone really far;
Against the wolf, it could not war.
My good shepherd, “Did you not know? ”
My God, “Did You all this allow? ”
The lamb couldn’t walk any farther;
To pray to God, it didn’t bother;
It was so tired, hungry too;
It did not know what next to do;
The wolf then caught the lamb by throat;
The blood spilled down its white fur-coat;
The lamb was dead in moments split;
The wolf ate lamb and tried to sit;
My good shepherd, “Did you not know? ”
My God, “Did You all this allow? ”
The wolf had feasted like a drill;
It ate with joy and had its fill;
It worked its way with pretty skill;
It left no trace of lamb on hill;
It was the poor lamb’s folly still.
The lamb had vanished from the rill;
It was too weak to fight by will;
The lamb had died a death cruel.
My good shepherd, “Did you not know? ”
My God, “Did You all this allow? ”
O shepherd good and experienced
With staff so long and strong and hooked;
If you had been awake and heard
The poor lamb’s cry, you could it saved;
If you had spotted wolf disguised,
One blow by staff you could have killed;
If you had watched with care, brother,
It would have stayed near its mother;
My good shepherd, “Did you not know? ”
My God, “Did You all this allow? ”
Then good shepherd, “Why didn’t you come
To save lamb’s life from wolf’s welcome? ”
The little lamb didn’t know wolf’s scent;
It was too small and innocent;
Its legs were weak and could not run;
It thought that life was only fun;
If more alert had been shepherd,
The lamb needn’t go astray or erred.
My good shepherd, “Did you not know? ”
My God, “Did You all this allow? ”
Had shepherd failed to act aright?
Had wolf deceived the lamb’s eye-sight?
Did not God know the lamb’s poor plight?
How could a lamb give wolf a fight?
Was it an act of destiny?
Was lamb to blame for mutiny?
Perhaps, the lamb was bound to die,
Allured by wolf’s broad day-light lie!
My good shepherd, “Did you not know? ”
My God, “Did You all this allow? ”
Copyright by Dr John Celes 1-11-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sonnet: ‘Both Gone to be with God! ’
A man, woman became one in Lord Christ:
Both joined by God and none could them unwed;
They fixed their hearts to rearing children first;
With duty done well, they are both now dead!
They slogged all day to make ends meet in life;
Most lovingly, they raised their children ten;
God helped them timely overcome all strife;
They are with God most likely, in heaven.
Some children now are parents proud, steadfast;
The baton passes from one hand to next;
With many things to do, time cannot last;
Guidance to live comes from the Bible’s text.
Oh, what an example, their parents set!
Their glorious work remains unmatched as yet!
Most lovingly dedicated by all children,
to our dear parents, on their Marriage Day Anniversary:
Shri. A.T.Antoniswami M.A., L.T., and
Shrimathi. Stella Thangamarie, Coimbatore
Who are ‘Both Gone to be with God! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 11-09-2010
poem by John Celes
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‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’, Rev. & Dear Father
Praise the day when you were born;
Thank the Lord for this great morn;
Sing good hymns and blow your horn;
Pray for parents for God’ altar, you now adorn!
God chose you from the rest of flock,
To be a Shepherd with a frock;
And guide all safely to the Rock,
That quenches thirst of souls that knock!
A priestly life’s closest to God!
You are one most beloved to the Lord;
Live your life as per His Word;
Fight satan with this divine sword!
The love of God will guide you through
The trials, travail that you woo;
The harvest work is tough to do,
But God will find more, when time’s due!
The shepherd runs, trudges and walks;
The Holy Spirit in him talks;
He gives the wisdom, power of staff;
Oh, let wolves come and hyenas laugh!
You have done well so far but still
More things will happen by God’s Will;
May grace of God, your soul afill,
And show the way in vale, uphill!
You have a flock to tend night/ day;
You have to put them in God’s way;
You have to tell what is God’s Say;
You have to sacrifice and pray!
Blessed is the man of God;
He speaks like Jesus, every word;
Like Christ Lord, he shepherds the herd;
All live with God in accord.
Your work can’t be extolled by word;
Your earthly life can be bit hard;
In heaven will be your reward;
This is to you my Birthday Card!
Fondly dedicated to Rev & Dear Father Xavier Claudius,
Parish Priest, ‘Holy Family Church’, Perundurai, Erode, Tamilnadu, India
On his birthday, by families and parishners
Copyright by Dr John Celes 27-10-2010
poem by John Celes
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A Tribute To My Revered Father
My Father was a great teacher,
Good husband to my good Mother;
He taught his pupils very well;
In an old house, did he dwell.
Well he reared his children seven!
Lived for up to eight times ten;
His forehead sweat fell on the soil;
My Father so well, did he toil.
A man who possessed great talents;
And honesty par excellence;
Cheap Politics did he eschew;
This world hath seen but very few.
He lived in humble conditions;
A law-abiding citizen;
He gave us good education;
And raised us well in religion.
He’as born and bred in piety;
And rose in popularity;
A logic-man, Philosopher;
None could him well decipher.
A versatile man, Orator;
He tried to make a new order;
Oppressed, he died with plenty peace;
Yet in god, he lived in ease.
His learning to him was his wealth!
Together with his body’s health;
And she was great too, my Mother;
Who well-supported my Father.
A human ‘immortal’-being!
With yeoman-service worth seeing;
He loved the poor and downtrodden;
That fetched him place sure in Heaven.
But one day when he died, I cried!
By Heaven’s words, he did abide;
God-fearing, undaunted, he left;
For his great soul, a lot I wept.
I see him as a bright new Star!
In the night-Sky clearly, afar;
Oh what a great man Father was!
Truthfulness was his greatest cause.
Fondly dedicated in loving memory of my beloved father
Shri. A.T.Antoniswami M.A., L.T., Coimbatore
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: The Lamb
A Lamb I am, grazing in the meadow,
Nibbling the grass from dawn to dusk my way,
In Mother Nature’s lap from morn through day,
While my time passes off happily tho’.
My shepherd with his staff crooked and long
Steadfastly watches over me from morn,
From Wolves and Vixen, I know him my tone,
Resting under a tree, hearing bird–song!
And then life becomes treacherous for me;
Men take away my wool, leaving me cold;
The butcher kills me with his knife bloody;
My life thus ebbs whether I’m young or old.
But Maker has destined me thus, I know;
Except to serve Him, I’ve no other go!
poem by John Celes
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Mothers’ Day,2008
O thank you mom, for all the things you did;
O thank you mom, for being nice to us;
O thank you mom, for toiling hard for all;
O thank you mom, for all the love you gave!
O thank you mom, for being good to dad;
O thank you mom, for all the care you took;
O thank you mom, for teaching ‘ABC ’;
O thank you mom, for cooking foods tasty!
O thank you mom, for keeping us so clean;
O thank you mom, for dressing us so well;
O thank you mom, for telling us stories;
O thank you mom, for singing ‘lullabies’!
O thank you mom, for encouraging us;
O thank you mom, for words of kindness, love;
O thank you mom, for rearing us so well;
O thank you mom, for spanking us at times!
O thank you mom, for showing what is life;
O thank you mom, for training us tell truth;
O thank you mom, for being ‘role-model’;
O thank you mom, for showing way to Heav’n.
O thank you mom, for helping us to write;
O thank you mom, for nursing us when ill;
O thank you mom, for teaching how to pray;
O thank you mom, for giving birth to us.
Lovingly dedicated to our dear mom,
Mrs. Stella Antoniswami, (> 90yrs) Coimbatore,
Still alive, by the grace of God
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-10-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sonnet: Be Glad Always, Man!
Be glad for all the blessings, God gave you;
And thank the Lord with all your heart and soul!
Be glad for all the good things, you could do,
Within the scope God-granted for your role.
Be glad for all the suff’rings, God gave you,
For, that’s the way, you learnt to love Him more!
Be glad for all the things, you could not do,
God will open to you another door!
Be glad for all the misdeeds, you couldn’t do!
Perhaps, your life could have been worse than this;
Be glad for all your good health and wealth too;
Forget your woes and thank God for His bliss!
Be glad, you kept your Road to Heaven, Man!
And praise the Lord in every way, you can.
2-29-2004 by dr john celes
Fondly dedicated to Dr. Prof. S. Narayanan, M.B.B.S., M.Sc.,
Prof. & HOD of Anatomy, and Vice-principal (former)
IRT PMC, Perundurai, Erode, Tamilnadu, India
poem by John Celes
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Gracious Good Shepherd
Gracious good shepherd
Do you really know who I am?
Gracious good shepherd
Will you answer when I call your name?
Gracious good shepherd
You can hear confusion crying out
Gracious good shepherd
What little faith I have I am ashamed
I visualize an angel
All freezing and bitter cold
I cannot believe the love there
What heavenly sacrifice
Gracious good shepherd
If you hear me now, I love you so
Gracious good shepherd
Why for me?
Gracious good shepherd
You say you love the lost born
Gracious good shepherd
I believe that one is me
Some tell me the virgin birth is
A beautiful ancient tale
But you tell me gods constellation
Led all to the living well
Gracious good shepherd
If you hear me now, I love you so
Gracious good shepherd
Why, why for me?
Gracious good shepherd
Do you really know who I am?
Gracious good shepherd
Will you answer when I call your name?
Gracious good shepherd
These are different times, Im sure you see
Gracious good shepherd
We need, you now
song performed by by Vanessa Williams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sonnet: Lord Jesus Christ - the Good Shepherd
Christ Jesus Lord is Good Shepherd - the one,
Who is ready to sacrifice His life,
For sake of sheep He leads, and He is Son
Of God, Redeemer and saves all from strife!
Christ gave His life upon the cross for all,
And shed His blood as price for mankind's sins,
So that the penitent can hear God's call,
And enter heaven with pure soul and wins.
The Good Shepherd has other sheep to lead,
For they too heed His call and follow Him;
For all His sheep in flock one, need to feed,
Returning safely when the light turns dim!
Christ is the owner of the flock of sheep;
With Good Shepherd around, no wolves dare peep!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 28-04-2012
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sonnet: Have Trust/Faith in God
Have trust in God and things will turn out right;
Have faith in God and mountains melt like ice;
Have trust in Him- temptations you can fight;
Have faith in Him and Life will become nice.
Have trust in God for He can do all things;
Have faith in God who solves problems we can’t;
Have trust in Him who selects Leaders/ Kings;
Have faith in Him who feeds Ants /Elephant.
Have trust in God for He is our Friend true;
Have faith in God who remains always near;
Have trust in Him who brings the rain and dew;
Have faith in Him who is our Father dear.
Have trust in God who is so kind yet terse;
Have faith in Him who rules the universe!
7-1-2003
Dedicated to most revered D.G.S.DHINAKARAN,
JESUS CALLS MINISTRY, CHENNAI, INDIA,
On his birthday by Dr John Celes
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Dad’s 105th Birth Anniversary
What love you gave us children while alive!
The care you rendered was incomparable;
Our family was busy akin bee-hive;
Your example good was indelible!
The nights you stayed awake to wake us up!
Your labor extra done to earn bit more!
The many slips you had ’tween lip and cup!
The corrections you did with much eye-sore!
Your words of wisdom bore the grace of God;
Profound were both your knowledge and your ken;
To correct us, you rarely used the rod;
What fine a dad God gave to us children!
You’re gone to be with God: we miss you dad!
That you couldn’t longer live just makes us sad!
Dedicated in loving memory of our dear dad,
Shri.A.T.Antoniswami M.A., L.T., CBE (late)
Copyright by Dr John Celes 1-19-2010
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: God Only Can Cure
Who can unclog the cerebral vessels?
Who can the sclerotic process undo?
Who can salvage the aged bones like shells?
Or reverse Cirrhosis of liver too.
Who can well cure Cardio-myopathy?
Prevent the fibrosis of musculature;
Who can cure hemoglobinopathy,
Or cure cancers except Mother Nature?
There is nothing in his hands, man ought to know;
A natural life, he must venture to live;
To Mother Nature, he must always bow;
Health of mind and body, money can’t give.
Just live today as best as possible;
Let God look after things impossible.
7-24-2001 by Dr John Celes
Dedicated to all Medical Teachers of
Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore
who taught me the art of Medicine
poem by John Celes
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A Poem to My Father on his 100th Birth Anniversary
Oh, what a great man, father was,
Mere words of mine can’t tell;
His death was surely, great a loss,
For mother, children, well!
A humble man with talents great,
Astounding, erudite;
The lucre of the world couldn’t bait
Him anytime nor bite!
He used his talents God-given,
For sake of poor brethren;
He earned a place good in heaven,
And love of kith and kin!
If he were ’live today, he’ll be
A hundred years of age!
He served well God, the Almighty,
And earned His golden page.
Like bright a star, he shines in sky,
And guides his children, wife;
We yearn to meet him when we die:
What exemplary life!
Dedicated in memory of my loving father,
Shri. A.T.Antoniswamy M.A., L.T., (late)
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: The Good Shepherd Protects All His Sheep
From everything unholy satan does,
The Master of the creation, God will
Find out the ways to protect His righteous
From all effects that are adverse and ill!
For, God is our Care-taker, Good Shepherd,
And won't allow the wolf to steal his sheep,
Who listen to His call and every word,
And protect them from falling down the deep.
The sheep will know the wolf in lamb-skin fast,
And run for cover to the shepherd near,
Who with his wisdom of the present, past,
Instills self-confidence, removes all fear!
The Good Shepherd knows every sheep by name,
And knows the wolf's designs and every game!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 23-07-12
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Poetic Tribute to Shri. APJ Abdul Kalam
Aim for the moon, if not the Mars;
Aim for the stars but avoid wars;
Aim for frontiers, without a fence;
Aim for world-peace, co-existence.
Aim for children who have a dream;
Aim for good youth, with smiles to beam;
Aim for a stronger India;
Aim for a world that’s terror-free.
Aim for dialogues, not sanctions;
Aim for amity of nations;
Aim for a better world for man;
Aim for achievements in life-span!
Abdul Kalam, he had a dream;
And labored hard within a team;
He gave the country missiles great;
And made Bharat, a nuclear state!
He served his tenure usefully;
He left his office peacefully;
He lives a life most hopefully;
‘Just love your brethren sincerely! ’
Fondly and most respectfully dedicated to
Shri APJ Abdul Kalam,
Our beloved Ex-President of INDIA
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-24-2007
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: My Mother Dear
You could not give me land or gold or wealth,
But helped me get precious education;
You could not give me luxuries but health,
But showed labor mixed with dedication.
You could not show me the grandeur of Life,
But showed me how to live in piety;
You could not find me a wealthier wife,
But showed me how to do true charity,
You could not show me pomp and show and bliss,
But showed me how to live God-fearingly;
You should me my prayers to never miss,
And showed me speak the truth so daringly.
You could not guide me how to reach my goal,
But showed me how to keep holy, my soul.
6-23-2003 by Dr John Celes
dedicated to my most belov'd and revered Great Mother who lives a courageous life at eighty-five in an old, ramshackled, dwelling place in Coimbatore, T.N., India
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Our World When Young...
Those days were fine when children young, we were,
And parents cared for us in all our needs;
We came to know a world that was unfair;
Yet, we were trained to sow only good seeds!
A time then came when we were separate,
With family of own, problems galore;
We learnt to stay off vice and sins to hate;
Though we were far better, we craved for more!
What parents did, we could not equalise;
Their performance remained always a feat!
Our sufferings then, we try to visualise;
Our former life was rather good and neat.
O thank You God for parents wonderful;
They toiled to make our lives so beautiful!
‘God bless our dear parents with heaven! ’
Most lovingly dedicated to our dear parents (late)
Mrs. Stella and Antoniswami, Old Chungam, CBE
By all their beloved children
Copyright by Dr John Celes 19-10-11
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Man, Humbles Himself Unto God
You’re my Creator;
I’m Your creature.
You are my Master;
I’m Your servant!
You are the mighty sea;
I’m a small fish.
You are the vast land;
I am just sand!
You are Almighty God;
I’m Your devotee;
You are the ‘King of Kings’;
I am earthling!
You are all goodness;
I am so bad;
You are the Light and Way;
I’m a pilgrim!
You are all pure and just;
I’m impure, with lust;
You are all virtuous;
I’m full of vice!
You are the spotless Lamb;
I’m a wild beast;
You are My Redeemer;
I’m a sinner!
You are the Truth,
I’m in search of;
You are the Eternal;
I’m a mortal.
You’re full of great love,
I can’t repay;
You are so strict and kind;
I need Your grace!
You are the Wisdom,
I need today;
You are my Faith and Hope,
All night and day!
You are the Healer;
I am the sick;
You are the forgiver
Of all my sins!
You are the Potter;
I am Thine pot;
You are my Maker,
Who made me first!
You are all heavenly;
I am earthly;
You are so divine, Lord;
I am just sod!
You are my Good Shepherd;
I am Your sheep;
You are the Care-taker
Of the soul in me!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 19-11-2010
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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