Sonnet: We Need God’s Blessings
What human agencies achieve is small;
Our Life's experience proves this point clearly;
And tho' this is a fact, well-known to all,
Yet, Men believe in human strength merely.
Most things that happen, we can't reason why;
And when they occur, no one can predict;
A few wise-men and soothsayers do try;
Their own statements, they often contradict.
The things destined by God, none can avoid;
His queries to each man, none can evade;
Unbless’d, man's labor remains null and void;
His glory and achievements also fade.
The man who wins God's Mercy- will not sin;
The man who pins his hopes on God- will win!
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: The Futility of Man’s Labors
The ‘why’ of many things is still unknown;
The ‘how’ of certain things, puzzle remains;
The ‘where’ of many things is lesser known;
The ‘when’ of certain things, waxes and wanes.
Most earthly matters are not lucid still;
Most divine things are known not in the least;
Most human achievements are by the ‘will’;
Most natural phenomena aren’t yet pieced.
Sojourn of man on earth has done nothing;
Life-span of man is too short to achieve;
It matters not whether pauper or king;
The man of wisdom does in God believe.
The greatest feats of man on earth are naught;
Compared to Nature, man’s work is a dot!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-13-2008
poem by John Celes
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Early Works - Race For Space
In long corridors of time and space
linger men caught within a race
to get to the stars and back
gaining knowledge that they lack.
Opening door yet unknown to man
finding things untouchable by hand,
but what will happen to the human race
when someone wins the race for space.
Astronauts fly into outer space
helping these men caught within this race
to find the difficult answer
of how to conquer
the unknown out there
far aloft from our atmosphere,
and what will happen to the human race
when someone wins the race for space.
Through the decades, men have pondered
what ship could be propelled
to visit plants and stars
like Jupiter and mars,
and break from earth’s gravity
from which we’re held,
but what will happen to the human race
when someone wins the race for space.
Date Written Unknown
poem by David Harris
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Sonnet-God Does The Best Way
How well God does the things, we try to do,
So clumsily for long, without results;
The way in which He punishes men too,
Like stones that come with speed from catapults.
Sometimes, He takes more time to do His work;
Nevertheless, it is for our own good;
God elicits from all a strong knee-jerk;
Yet gives His grace and strength and also mood.
But, human labor lone may not suffice;
Nor human strategy brings quick success;
Just pray to God to gain His wise advice,
The burden of achievement becomes less.
The word of God decides success, defeat;
The ways in which He does things, none can beat.
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Give Up Your Lies
How far can lies take you in life on earth?
The more you say, the more you can't avoid;
Nor lies can give a person real mirth;
And lies once said can't become 'null and void'.
Cut off the habit at the earliest,
Lest clouds dense-black of punishment still loom;
'Tis best to learn to be always honest;
Nip off the urge bud-like 'fore it can bloom.
Free is the mind that airs its heart by Truth;
The peace it gives is worth the efforts made;
Oh, learn to speak the Truth right from your youth;
The glory God bestows, can never fade.
The things that lies can win you- are for now;
When Truth is God, why don't men learn to love?
poem by John Celes
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Who Knows
Each day the dawn rises
and the sun begins to shine,
but what if one day
there was no sun no more
and the skies remain black.
The world would become cold
and life would fade away.
The human race would then know
its judgement day.
Scientists predict that day
is a long way off
and we will never see it in our lifetime.
No one can predict what tomorrow will bring,
nor can we predict when the sun will ever die.
We all hope it will be never,
but really, who knows?
25 May 2008
poem by David Harris
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Just Human Tho’ I Am
Just human tho’ I am,
Achieve, I can great things;
A lot is possible by me,
If only I try and see!
Just human tho’ I am,
My intellect good, if I can
Put to use rightly,
Wonderful results will see!
Just human tho’ I am,
Reset records, I can,
If curiosity be my drive,
And I work like bees in a hive!
Just human tho’ I am,
My limit is but the sky;
With God as Helper-guide,
By His tenets, I abide.
Just human tho’ I am,
Hurdles many I’ll see;
By working night and day,
Success will follow, Aye!
Just human tho’ I am,
Nothing impossible can be;
Tho’ failures show their head,
Before I can be dead!
Just human tho’ I am,
I must ne’er give up yet;
For laurels, acclaim comes
Like ripe and healthy plums!
Just human tho’ I am,
And life a struggle is;
If I face it bravely,
Will be a cause worthy!
poem by John Celes
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Rely On God Always
When future seems a bit bizarre,
And hope and faith in God wavers,
Our God who stood by us thus far
Neither abandons nor forsakes!
Life brings in its wake ups and downs;
Sometimes, they come in sustained ways;
Self-confidence is low at times;
We wonder if God will not help!
But then the truth is contrary;
God is our only trusted friend;
He is most loving, caring one,
Who meets our needs on time, His way!
Our human minds do always doubt
About our earthly achievements;
But success need not always come
To those who persevere and toil!
So, what if sometimes things go wrong?
Our minds are not perfect in maths;
All risks are not discernible;
None can predict the future well!
Our Mother Nature is supreme;
God is the Master of all things;
He loves His best creation - man!
And wants his soul back in pure form!
Worrying is not the right answer
To numerous problems on earth;
Our faith in God should not dither,
Despite all odds that crop at times!
So, trouble not your worried minds;
Leave all worries with God to solve;
His heart of kindness and of love
Knows human needs, weaknesses, strength!
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet-The Wiser Man
Two types of men can rise up to the top;
The first by luck, by pluck, the easy way;
But in the end, he proves to be a flop;
And hence accepts defeat, calls it a day.
The other rises by sheer labor, sweat;
The rise is phenomenal but so rough;
He has no reason much to fume or fret;
Though blessed by God, his life was indeed tough.
Which of these types of men, you belong to?
The former gets rewarded here on earth;
The latter gets rewards in heaven too;
God gives him satisfaction and great mirth.
One’s name and fame must be destined by God;
When earned by human toil alone, 'tis odd.
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Think Less: Work More!
Don’t think of things you can’t well think about;
So many things our minds can’t ponder still;
The wise won’t waste their precious time in doubt;
Reveal in His own time most things, God will!
No one can delve in any field to depths;
God made each creature with a perfect touch;
According to our labor, yield results;
The human brain has limitations much.
There is no point in thinking endlessly;
Our time on earth is finite and too short;
Our duty must be done most selflessly;
Our days of life are leased by God, not bought!
So, spend your days most usefully, O man!
To change our destiny, only God can!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 6-8-2006
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Better Seek God’s Help
Sometimes, I can do things all on my own;
But this isn’t possible always to me;
At times, I can get them done by someone;
May be, then things can happen speedily!
But things go wrong at times when I do them;
And problems occur when others perform;
Delays too happen in solving problem;
All human minds are not always in form.
But yet, the best is placing trust in God;
Nothing goes wrong when God gives solution;
The ways of God at times seem rather odd;
And confidence, God gives by intuition.
God works more wonders than man imagines;
But God helps those with soul afree from sins!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-4-2006
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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Human Error
There is always a mystery
behind every tragedy in this world.
Always questions are asked
and someone has to take the blame.
Human error they call it
that cost all those lives,
but not all things are human error.
Some things are unavoidable,
unexplainable and even unpredictable.
They just happen without warning
and no one can prevent it.
They will happen again
and possibly again.
8 April 2008
poem by David Harris
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Because I do not wish to hope again
I
Because I do not wish to hope again,
to like an eagle spread my wings,
because I do not wish to gain
experience and to learn new things
and do not wish to soar up against the blue sky,
wondering what lies
beyond the scope of the vision of an eye
and with time in me all hope dies
why should I be afraid
when the darkness closes in,
when destiny has knotted my life in its braid
and I do not know what comes with the new morning?
II
Because am not the man I used to be
and the things of my youth now is of no interest
with age taking effect of my body
drawing me closer to the place of eternal rest
and on the other side of the beyond
there’s only darkness that I see
and to this ageing body I am bound with life’s bond
that is slowly leaving me
when the reality of life in death makes me aware
that life is only transitory,
that destiny has its impact everywhere
then as a tired man I still lift my eye to God in His glory.
III
Because the moments of tranquillity
have left me as if they have never been
and I am now enfolded in fragility
as if my eyes have never seen
the greatness beaconing on the other side of the beyond
as if no word or deed from me will last into eternity
as if no beauty, greatness I have found
or left a mark of my integrity or sincerity
I wonder what the reason for living is,
have difficulty to comprehend
what life holds
what pain, fear, joy and bliss
brings before the last of my life is spent?
IV
Because I know that time is running out,
that even a newborn child is bound to destiny
and it feels as if it’s no use to beg, pray or shout
as every single human being is covered in iniquity
I am left to pray to God for His mercy
and ask Him to let me forget the dreams, the plans and hope
that was once mine, and every single fallacy
that as a human being once did envelop
my mind, my heart and when His righteous judgement falls
may it be lenient as there is no way to live again
and deeds and words well meant become spent when death calls
as every human being is destined to walk the darkening plain
l’Envoi
to at an allotted time expected or unexpected depart from life
and even from the time of birth
the seeds of disaster and strive
are build into every human being living on this earth
and therefore I pray to meet You Lord
to experience the depth of your love
as is promised in Your eternal word
lifting my eyes to You who reign from above.
[Reference: Ash-Wednesday: I. “Because I do not hope to turn again” by T. S. Eliot.]
poem by Gert Strydom
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Sonnet: Leave All Things to God!
Sometimes, some things don’t happen as we wish;
However long we brood, we can’t know why?
There is no point in being more selfish;
Such things are better left to God on high!
Why waste our precious time in thinking deep?
We have our limitations to discern;
Why spoil our mental harmony and sleep?
God’s ways are at times difficult to learn!
When things don’t happen as expected, then
Remember that God has a plan for you;
Be patient and don’t jump over the fen!
A miracle God certainly will do!
All human faculties are fallible;
God’s ways of doing things, infallible!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-9-2006
poem by John Celes
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Gauzy Friends and Youth
Add to me slithered hope
lather on time telescoped:
I aspire to grow
larger than I am.
Piece together small achievements;
test my dreams against cubicle worlds
and gauzy friends
shadow boxing.
I cannot yet define who I am
so I invent pieces of me
to fill in the gaps reality leaves
in between
traces of my apartment life.
How can I mature
in these panoplies
where I never see
experience full-scoped?
Fragmented life
in shattered pieces
distend the human mind.
If failures and hopes
are not mine
and only Similes of same
then my life is not my own,
experience itself interstitial.
Some days,
I suffice
to queue
and wait to be-
imagining that
I am becoming
the am
I’m currently not.
But in all this
I can see
I’ll breech the abyss-
dreams my sturdy bridge;
til that day I am whom
I used to dream
I’d be.
poem by Lonnie Hicks
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Human Beings
It is only love I feel
That will give us peace of heart
In my hour of desperate need
I feel closer to the one
Oh but why...
Please
Human being
If you bleed
they will say it was destined
They'll be punchin' tickets
By the minute if you fall out of line
desperate
desperate
Tell me is it death you feel
That will bring you peace of life.
Who wants
Tell me you're one of us
Tell me you're one
Tell me you're one of us
Tell me you're one
When you lose your self esteem
That's when love dies...
Ohhh...
Please human being
If you bleed
They will say that it's destined
They'll be punchin' tickets
By the minute if you fall out of line
We're mere human beings we die
So...
So...destined desperate
Well I feel
When you've reached number one
You look like you're puffing but
Really only blocking the sun...
Blocking the sun
Blocking the sun
We're mere human beings
We die
It's destined
They'll be punchin' tickets
By the minute you fall out of life
We're mere human beings we die
We're mere human beings we die
Desperate
It's destined
We're mere human beings we die
desperate
it's destined
destined
We're mere human beings we die
song performed by by Seal from Human Beings
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sonnet: True Success Is God-destined
Some think they can achieve all things by sheer
Hard-work, intelligence and on their own;
Some think they can do things while they drink beer,
Through slaves and cell-phones, working in a town!
Some think that back-door entry is the best!
They use their clout and influence and bribe;
Some achieve things by turning into pest,
And some others are sheer will-powered tribes.
Some pray to God but never labor hard;
Some labor hard but never pray to God;
The one who mixes both gets his reward;
The lucky/ plucky man cannot be Lord!
True success comes when man does as God says,
And such a man gets surely better days!
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: No Man is perfect
Most men on earth do things as per their wish;
Only a few think well before they act;
Most minds are egoistic and selfish;
Advice if free has takers few- a fact.
By trial/ error, each one spends his life;
Things may go wrong and you never know why;
Both haves and have-nots get problems and strife;
No man is sure when he would surely die.
Man wonders if when life’s each stage is past,
Could he have lived in better ways and did,
Some things in prudent manner or too fast?
Some problems of his life, could he have rid?
No man can perfectly perform all things,
Nor can he solve all queries that life brings.
7-13-2001
poem by John Celes
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In live action movies, you just hope that everything works. Because the actor may had a bad morning and doesn't play good, or accidents happen continuously. Many things contradict what you are trying to say. But in cartoons, nothing contradict what you want to say.
quote by John Hench
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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0006 Weasel Words
It’s such fun spotting them –
this should be built into the syllabus
of every English class: to con the cons;
sharpens the mind, too –
those words that cloak deceit,
prevarication, ignorance,
evade the point of a discussion,
evade answering the vital question and questioner,
simplify the complex,
complicate the simple…
‘the real point is..’
say they, switching the agenda
to the home ground of their local thought,
‘more to the point is…’
‘more importantly…’ (that’s smart..)
said quickly (that's the trick
of weasel words - make them seem
more like an um or er or hello or throat-clear
or, just some punctuation mark) ..
and anyone who says
‘it’s absolutely clear…’
should be frogmarched off
to the Absolute, his, her, itself
to answer in person for their arrogance..
the rest of us left, of course, to guess that
if they say that… it just ain’t…
and now, there are ‘mission statements’ –
confronted with some cruel inhumanity
perpetrated on the innocent individual or group
by some institution, public, private -
a ‘spokesman’ solemnly reels off
the high ideals they stand by to deliver,
which just happen to be totally
at odds with the (often unmentioned)
suffering caused to some (better unmentioned...) human being..
pop goes a good old weasel in the football press
today: “We take this area of regulation
very seriously. When we find evidence
of breaches of rules and regulations,
we investigate thoroughly” – you bet they do;
but how about that ‘when we find’?
try ‘when we seek to find’…
I rest my case. And so would they too, if they could..
poem by Michael Shepherd
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