The Pope in US
(A poetic gist by Dr John Celes, India)
A historical moment for the world;
Pope 265 set foot on US soil;
Pope Benedict XVI was his name
The Apostle of peace and human rights;
He planned his itinerary with shrewdness;
He touched upon all themes that plague the world;
He brought the only hope to US- Christ;
‘With faith, let’s encounter the living God.’
He timed his visit when he thought most fit;
‘Humanism must be revived quickly.’
Modern world dabbled with key issues now.
The foundation of faith was in doldrums.
The heart of man could not be won by war;
For lasting peace, dialogue was needed;
He left his mark, indelible behind;
America could not forget the Pope!
The Gentle Giant spoke in candid terms;
The world cannot rely on human strength;
The help of God was needed doubtlessly;
He brought to US blessings from heaven!
The nation’s heart and mind was enraptured;
They heard the Pope’s message most lovingly;
God’s humble servant made them even laugh;
All human life was sacred until death!
All Catholics were directed to follow
The teachings of the Holy Catholic Church;
They should reflect their faith in daily lives;
And leaders weren’t exception to this rule.
Human sexuality was sacrosanct;
All clerics must be pure in heart and soul;
Few good priests were better than many bad;
The Church and world were at cross-roads today!
Society’s foundations were crumbling fast!
Good families formed framework of the church;
Morality couldn’t be thrown to the winds;
Freedom entailed preserving one’s virtues.
Vicar of Christ- the Pope lauded US;
‘May God bless America even more! ’
Americans should set an example
In earthly life to others in the globe!
Prez Bush saw God very eyes of Pope!
Pope came to feed those souls hungry for God;
He prayed terrorists’ hatred hearts too change;
Love was the one weapon to win all wars!
The world was glad to see Pope in US!
May be, God would do miracles through him;
‘The sheep were happy with their Good Shepherd! ’
May be, the world would make a new beginning!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-22-2008
poem by John Celes

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Related quotes
Ballad: Pope Benedict XVI in US,2008
The Apostle of peace had come:
Pope Benedict by name;
To US, where he was welcome,
With missionary aim.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
In doldrums lies, world of today;
Man’s faith in God is weak;
Most think that science has final say;
So, God, most men don’t seek.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
The family in danger lies;
Now love does not prevail;
As virtues are replaced by vice;
And freedom blows like gale.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
The quest for God is dying fast;
Rely men in own toil;
‘The mole is mound’- all sins of past!
Man’s soul is on the spoil.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
With fervent prayers, send your pleas,
To God who is above;
The caring God will surely ease
Your problems, with great love.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
Encounter living God in life;
Blessings will follow then;
God cares for you in any strife;
Keep eyes upon Heaven.
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
Though holy is matrimony,
And sacrosanct is sex,
Man sins for sake of more money,
In ways that all can vex!
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
Like love of God that radiates,
Let man’s heart do like-wise;
Let’s take the narrow road to Gates
Of Heaven; Be soul-wise!
‘Let faith in earthly life, God find;
Christ is the only hope,
For modern world, and all mankind, ’
Said Benedict, the Pope.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-23-2008
poem by John Celes

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Pope John Paul II (A Biography Poem Sequence-3)
Faith of the Millennial Pope: contd
No papal word touches man’s heart,
Howev’r appealing, full of art,
Unless refined by grace of God,
And blessed by Christ himself, the Lord.
The pope did therefore meet his sheep,
To pray for them and even weep,
Converting souls through God’s own grace,
And throwing queries on their face!
To him, man’s faith was number one;
All things were next under the sun;
His moments with the people meant,
Reconciling with transcendent!
His motorcade was majestic –
The moments inspiring, magic;
His rendezvous with God’s creatures
Gave occasion for great lectures!
Each moment was a bolt from blue;
Lost sheep to God, the pope would woo;
The moment was mystical too;
To souls, much goodness, it would do.
The pope shared his testimony;
That didn’t stem from greed of money;
The pope bore witness to his faith;
‘God only changes sinner’s fate’.
His heart was Catholic, fierce and true;
By quest for truth, he would move, do;
Miracles did happen in life;
Both faith and tongue worked like a knife!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-01-2009
poem by John Celes

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The World Gets a New Pope! - (a prose poem)
Death spares no one!
Death spares no earthling!
Death spares no human being!
Death cuts the thread of life certainly;
And the Pope is no exception!
Pope John Paul II is no more!
The old shepherd had finally passed away;
He was eighty-four when he died;
He fell ill twice quite seriously;
He was Pope for nearly 26 years!
He was the ‘most traveled Pope’ and was a Poet too!
And he stood steadfast in all his spiritual endeavors;
He braved ‘the storms and calmed the seas that tried to capsize the Roman Catholic Ship’!
He led His flock to the Rock!
But some sheep did stray away;
Some had lost their faith;
Some went in search of ‘greener grass in newer meadows’;
But these were the souls which were dissatisfied, distraught and diseased!
A new Shepherd had been finally chosen!
Holy smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney!
On three occasions, it remained black!
The anxious flock stayed back in St.Peter’s Square, all day and night!
They prayed fervently to God to give them a new Shepherd soon;
But each time they saw the black smoke, their hearts filled with sadness;
Yet, their faith never dithered;
The Holy Spirit would answer their prayers fast;
The Holy Spirit had never failed them in the last 2000 years after Jesus Christ!
He had always provided a new Pope whenever the earlier one died;
The people waited anxiously with hope in their hearts that were
already saddened by the demise of Pope John Paul II.
And Lo! There was the smoke again!
But this time, it was white;
The burning of the ballot papers caused the smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney!
And it billowed up into the heavens!
And it was confirmed by the peeling of bells loudly.
A NEW POPE HAD BEEN CHOSEN!
The audio-visual effect was superb;
The flock cheered and sang thanks-giving hymns to the Lord;
They were jubilant and in ecstasy;
The air was rent with ‘Alleluias’!
The Holy Spirit had once more wrought a miracle;
A new Pope had been selected by the secret conclave of 115 cardinals.
God never abandons nor forsakes his flock!
Joseph Ratzinger, a German was the new Pope!
In thirty minutes, he chose the name of Benedict XVI.
He had served as Dean of the College of Cardinals for nearly twenty years earlier;
He was a man of great wisdom;
He was a great Philosopher, Professor of theology and an erudite scholar;
He had stunned the world with his orthodox, traditional approach;
He was simple and understanding, healthy and ever ready for dialogue with other religious leaders;
He was perhaps the best among the rest to lead the Church, in the new millennium;
He would lead the flock of more than a billion Roman Catholic people for the next few years on ‘their road to Heaven’!
‘Hope was reborn in the form of a new Pope’
The new Shepherd would tend to his flock and know each sheep by its name!
And they too would know their Shepherd’s voice and follow his footsteps without any hesitation on ‘The Road to Heaven’!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 21-4-2005
poem by John Celes

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Sonnet: The Pope’s (Benedict XVI) Visit to America,2008
Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth- The Pope
Comes to remind Americans about
Renewing faith in God, the only hope
To every nation, without any doubt.
Progress, peace, prosperity- are all things
Bestowed on people who believe in Christ,
Who is the truth, light, way to more blessings
That comes from Heaven (God) in the Highest.
No mighty nation stays always with pow’r,
Unless the people pray to God by heart;
No man is imperishable, a flow’r;
All human beings must one day depart.
God chooses leaders, kings as per His choice-
The victor listens to Almighty’s voice!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-16-2008
poem by John Celes

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Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s US Visit,2008
A poetic synopsis
It was succor to a nation
That still grieved;
The people prayed for those bereaved;
The Pope arrived with Christ as Hope;
The Catholics here, no longer in darkness
Would ev’r grope;
They saw the master teacher-
Theologian and Chief Pastor;
He came here with a clear-cut aim
And was clear victor in the game.
He uttered words with precision;
He made all see his great vision;
The Apostle showed profound care;
His speeches were a balm, so rare;
He strengthened his brothers’ cause,
As faith here was on a downhill course.
His every word was meaningful;
His every gesture purposeful;
His advice was so powerful;
His visit here, so wonderful!
He maintained a catholic identity;
In his entire mission;
He spoke always with passion;
He showered his compassion
On the victims of sexual abuse;
Such sin and crime had no excuse.
He tried to heal the people’s wounds
Applying balm on hearts by rounds;
He stressed upon the human dignity;
Marriage, family, global solidarity.
World’s leaders had to be cautious;
His statements were not noxious;
The world needed freedom and peace,
Help and cure from every disease.
All basic human rights were important;
To all Christians, he said, ‘May they be one! ’
All people were held in awe;
He told them about Natural law.
One’s faith must be reflected in one’s life;
Christ was the only Hope to global strife.
He spoke to all cadres of his flock;
‘Our actions should lead us to Peter’s rock.’
The people prayed and laughed and cried;
They worshipped Christ with renewed pride.
For six days full, he held
the nation spell-bound;
He reminded all of the need
To encounter the living God;
He came, He saw and
conquered with care.
They celebrated his birthday-
A new birth for the great nation!
copyright by Dr John Celes 4-22-2008
poem by John Celes

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Pope John Paul II (A Biography Poem Sequence-4)
Faith of the Millennial Pope: contd
He prayed to Mary and all saints,
And drew from them, his divine paints,
That sketched the glorious work of God,
And brought more souls to Lord’s abode!
Faith sustains man throughout his life,
Providing answers for things rife;
His passion for depicting truth,
Did bear him ultimately, fruit.
The pope, a philosopher great
Was preacher too, with clean a slate;
He loved all mystical debate;
Communism, he did well hate!
His link with God was quite profound;
His faith had strong roots in Poland;
The murders of the Holocaust,
An upheaval of heart had caused.
He fought against ‘culture of death’;
He was Christ-centered right from birth;
Spirit mattered in life on earth;
Christ was the crucified God-Mirth!
How could man live in harmony
Away from God, with just money?
How could there be a destiny
Without a true eternity?
To him, Christ was the only hope,
For mankind’s woes, and every pope;
That came from suff’ring on the cross,
And showed that Christ was God and Boss!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-01-2009
poem by John Celes

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Pope John Paul II (A Biography Poem Sequence-2)
Faith of the Millennial Pope:
To him, his faith and God were prime –
‘Man needs God’s help in every clime.’
A Godless world would never thrive;
The Almighty was man’s sole (soul’s) drive!
His heart with faith queries aflame,
The Shepherd didn’t put sheep to blame
His faith to him was much real –
Panacea that could all heal.
The God of goodness yearned to love
The man, He made and to him prove,
That without Him, no man could live,
And God would graces amply give.
He went across the globe often
To meet his sheep, to hearts soften;
He raised queries of faith candid,
And gave answers to them lucid.
Goodness of man all came from God;
The evil-hearted face His rod;
The human race would not exist,
If God was not first in man’s list.
Man’s connection with transcendent
Made life meaningful and was meant
To help man live a better life,
Amidst a world of increased strife.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-01-2009
poem by John Celes

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A Tribute to The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI
Message: “But, let there be one flock and one Shepherd.”
The world has got a Pope anew!
His name is Joseph Ratzinger;
On April, twenty-fourth, Sunday,
He’s duly installed as the Pope,
Successor to Pope John Paul II.
A German cardinal old-aged,
A Theologian ’yond compare;
A man of wisdom, silver-haired,
A conservative of the Church,
He said Inaugural Mass that day.
St. Peter’s Square was thronged by crowds
Of people of all ages, sex-
That numbered five lakhs from countries,
To witness his Investiture:
A life-time’s rare phenomenon!
Yes, Heads of States and religious;
The clerics and the laity too;
Representatives from many lands;
Some curious tourists and Faithful,
Dignitaries and pilgrims too,
Had jubilantly gathered here.
And Benedict, the XVI stood,
All dressed in cassock of pure white;
With face akin a beaming sun,
He blessed the flock that vouched support,
Became their new Shepherd of love!
A Pallium of finest wool,
With five red crosses and three nails
Just like the wounds of Jesus Lord;
A ring with St.Peter, as fisherman-
A Mitre and a Staff- he got!
Oh, what a glorious sight indeed!
All flower-decked and incensed air;
Heavenly scene on earth for once;
The sheep in finest attire-
They came to greet the new Shepherd!
The Pope then said a Latin mass-
A language of the Vatican;
With Gospels in Latin and Greek;
Pope’s homily that took an hour!
The patient crowds turned ecstatic!
Pope’s Homily in Italian:
Assuming an enormous task, he said,
“I’ll do the Will of God and not my own;
I ask for prayers from you, one and all;
I reach out to believers and to Jews,
And non-believers- ‘Listen to God’s word’;
The Lord will guide me from now on;
I’m but a weak servant of God;
My special greetings to all who will share
This great spiritual heritage.
But, let there be one flock and one Shepherd.”
The Mass went on to Holy Communion;
The priests went to the pilgrims to give it;
Applauses loud interrupted his speech;
The crowds waved flags to the new Pope
As he traveled amidst them in a jeep!
The luckier ones had a glimpse of the Pope;
The others took his photographs;
Some viewed him through binoculars;
The billion Catholics watched him by TV;
The Pope then blessed the pilgrims and his flock.
Some viewed him rather too skeptically,
Afraid of his orthodoxy dogmas;
The earlier Pope had not answered
Some modern problems that world faced;
How will he deal with Abortion,
Gay- marriages and Condom use,
Women as priests, homosexuality?
But time will tell whether this Pope
Will change the world, better the Church;
Some things can ne’er be compromised;
The Shepherd loves his flock, no doubt;
The flock must heed his word-’Follow’.
The Shepherd searches for lost sheep;
With him as guide, ‘Don’t be afraid.’
poem by John Celes

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Compromise In Leadership
Media and Catholics
keep telling me
the Pope is the head
of the Roman
Catholic Church
for me God
Jesus the Holy Spirit
is the trinity head
of the Roman
Catholic Church.
Does the Pope
live up to his vast
responsibilities?
Show me
any man
or women
on earth
who lives up to vast
responsibilities?
Politics governments
compromise in leadership
compromise corrupts.
Who has not heard
"all power corrupts"
"absolute power corrupts
absolutely"?
The touchstone
of accountability
was is Ten Commandments
given directly by God.
This was is yardstick
measure to apply
to leadership
politics religion
all decisions.
But rogue rulers
leaders governments
have discarded
the Ten Commandments.
Historically over history
globally like dominoes
all such Empires
all when corruption
endemic infuses
any organization society.
Either there is repentance
restoration of justice
human rights applied for all
a return to divine
inspired God's laws.
Or arrogance injustice
animates bedrock
common foundation families
shaped building blocks
comprising all societies.
What blood
price compromise
World War Two
Roman Catholic Church
Sacred Pope Vatican City
Nazi Germany Hitler treaty
in total innocent
European lives lost?
What blood guilt
judgement
awaits from God?
poem by Terence George Craddock

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Pope – Jesus Christ’s the Only Hope
A Poetic Excerpt (I) from his speech to US Bishops
For modern world, the only hope is Christ –
The soul of man needs God for sustenance;
One’s loyalty to Holy See is prime;
Let Catholics strengthen bonds with Peter’s See.
America is great a nation sure;
The US Catholics fervently do pray;
Let me commend all believers to God;
Let’s thank God for the gift of grace to Church.
Let world’s largest community today –
The Catholics shine their light to all around,
And spread the Gospel to all fellow-men;
Let them too see your work and thank the Lord.
Welcome all immigrants to join your fold,
And share their joys and sorrows and trials;
Support the poor and needy as usual;
You’re well known for your generosity!
American aid for all disasters,
Within the country and that globally,
Is ample proof of generous a heart:
That needs thanksgiving to the Almighty!
This country is a land of strong a faith;
They worship God with fervor and great pride;
Their arguments are based on Bible truths;
You are a witness to Lord Jesus Christ.
I exhort you, brother bishops to sow
The seeds of Gospel in this fertile soil,
And help the Vine of Hope in Christ grow well,
And lead souls to encounter living God.
Let your beliefs and teachings of the church
Be practiced in your professional lives;
Let’s not exploit the poor and downtrodden;
Let sex be sacred and per moral thought.
Let’s safe-guard right to life until one’s death;
Let faith permeate every Catholic’s life;
Let affluence not hamper thirst for God,
Nor block the progression of soul to Him.
Let’s not forget our ultimate life’s aim;
Let’s drink from wells of God’s infinite love;
Let’s not believe in science and own efforts;
Our lives are empty if not God-centered.
Let’s cultivate our bonds with Jesus Christ;
The goal of all our work is only this;
Our cultural roots shouldn’t make us anti-God;
It should promote our faith in Almighty.
Faith must be founded on a basis sound;
Encounter God through Savior Jesus Christ.
While medical advances offer hope
Anew, it raises Ethical questions;
Health-care Providers need your counseling
To keep Christ in their every endeavor.
Free speech must solve today’s moral questions;
The Gospel must be spread throughout the world;
Let Catholic views guide all moral queries;
Open all minds and hearts to moral truths.
Let laity act as ‘leaven’ for masses,
In unison with Catholic Church’s teachings;
Ensure morality in clergy too;
A healthy family and home brings peace.
Enhance the virtues in the family
-Love, mutual help, forgiveness and concern;
The family is the basis of the Church;
Divorce, infidelity have increased.
The sanctity of marriage bond is less;
A civil bond seems coming up so fast;
Catholic marriages are on the wane,
While cohabitation is on the spate;
Denied are children, moral up-bringing;
The bishop forms the pastoral Care-taker;
The ‘Yes’ to ‘pro-life’, love must resonate
In families, while yearning for the Lord.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-18-2008
poem by John Celes

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The new pope knows that his task is to make the light of Christ shine before men and women of world - not his own light, but that of Christ.
quote by Pope Benedict XVI

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Pope John Paul II (A Biography Poem Sequence)
Karol Josef Wojtyla was
Born in Poland’s town, Wadowice,
On May,18th,1920,
Grew up to be remarkably!
The son of Pole army father,
And loving school-teacher mother,
He was athlete, soccer-player,
A dare-devil river-swimmer!
He loved to be a good actor;
Love for literature, a factor;
He worked part-time as stone-cutter,
As Nazis downed every shutter!
When eight-years’ old, his mother died;
When still quite young, his brother died;
When twenty years old, father died;
The loss of dear lives, he couldn’t hide!
His mother, brother, father died;
Nation was Nazi-occupied!
A quarry work, gave him the buck
The war deprived Karol good luck!
His mother’s death affected his
Life on earth that had turned amiss;
The violent blows opened up new
Spiritual depths of heart to view.
His father fell upon his knees
In prayer, asking God for peace;
This man had taught him what’s duty,
And explained things of mystery.
He saw the frenzied Nazis kill;
Yet, it was also holy will;
He drew from God his strength while ill;
His faith gave him a hearty fill!
He helped the Jews from Nazis’ hands;
He loved to travel across lands;
When call to priest-hood came one day,
From accident, in bed, he lay.
Ordained as priest in ’46,
Became Bishop in ’58,
Vicar capitular, even,
Cardinal in ’67.
He rose to be a good leader;
He was a poet and writer;
Communism was his one hate!
He was made Pope in ’78!
He was the first pope from Poland;
And shot in Peter’s Square, his land!
He prayed to Mother Mary and
Recovered through her divine hand!
He met assassin in prison,
Forgiving him, his murder-sin;
His talk to him was kept secret;
To youngsters, he opened his heart!
First World Youth Day was held in Rome;
With people young, he was at home;
They were to live by Bible’s Word,
And spread the message of Christ Lord.
He went to see the Holy Land!
His life was linked home Poland,
That gave him his Christian vision,
And on earth, his papal mission!
His heart had roots in Polish soil;
His antecedence, made him toil;
He was a modern global pope,
Who gave mankind, a special hope!
He was an intellectual man,
Who came out of the Vatican,
And founded churches everywhere;
And breathed for long, a friendly air!
He worked to make peace with all Jews;
He was a pope always in news;
He was the most popular pope;
Despite all darkness, he didn’t grope!
He raised his voice against evils;
He cautioned all against devils;
He listed out the mortal sins
That filled the modern man’s soul-bins!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-01-2009
poem by John Celes

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Commanders Of The Faithful
The Pope he is a happy man,
His Palace is the Vatican,
And there he sits and drains his can:
The Pope he is a happy man.
I often say when I'm at home,
I'd like to be the Pope of Rome.
And then there's Sultan Saladin,
That Turkish Soldan full of sin;
He has a hundred wives at least,
By which his pleasure is increased:
I've often wished, I hope no sin,
That I were Sultan Saladin.
But no, the Pope no wife may choose,
And so I would not wear his shoes;
No wine may drink the proud Paynim,
And so I'd rather not be him:
My wife, my wine, I love, I hope,
And would be neither Turk nor Pope.
poem by William Makepeace Thackeray

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Once Pope Under Jevais Resolvd To Adventure
Once Pope under Jevais resolvd to adventure
& from a Good Poet Pope turnd an ill painter
So from a Good Painter Charles Jervais we hope
May turn an ill Poet by living with Pope
Then Each may perform the true parts of a friend
While each will have something to blame or commend
poem by Thomas Parnell

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Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me - a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.
quote by Pope Benedict XVI

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It often happens that I wake up at night and begin to think about a serious problem and decide I must tell the Pope about it. Then I wake up completely and remember that I am the Pope.
quote by Pope John XXIII

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I Just Wanted to Get Your Opinion
What do you think about the Pope?
And the...
Influence of the church,
These
Days...?
HEY! ?
I just wanted to get your opinion.
I did not mean to chase you away.
Oh well.
Geeessshhh...
Is it 'that' bad?
I heard about the exorcisms.
But my goodness!
Impeaching a Pope?
What is going on inside that place?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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Easter Day 2009
When Christ was born
One early morn,
And angels sang,
As loud bells rang;
Peace came to earth
Through this great birth,
And world had joy
By baby boy!
The Son of God
Was born a man
In virgin’s womb
In stable-room!
He grew up wise,
Without a vice,
And showed His ken
To men, women!
His Father’s word,
He spoke like sword;
And drove devils,
And fought evils!
Through parables,
On vales and hills,
He preached to all
To hear God’s call!
Upon the cross,
He died because
His Father said
And kept His head;
Third day, He rose
To keep His course,
And gave new hope,
And world a pope!
The risen Christ
Is King highest,
And welcomes souls
With divine roles;
On Easter day,
God shows the way
To heaven’s bliss,
Which none should miss!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-12-2009
poem by John Celes

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Mea Culpa'd
Crusades, blood libels, inquisitions and conversions that were forced,
indifference to the blood of helpless Jews spilt in the holocaust,
a litany of crimes for which the Pope should use his bully pulpit,
and yet equivocates while in denial, hardly mea culpa’d,
will be forgotten soon, because the mantra never to forget
itself will be forgotten and the crimes of Nazi will be set
aside, diminished in importance by great other acts of genocide
and claims they never happened to six million, and the Jews just lied.
Pope John Paul II has expressed condemnation regarding the acts of the Church against the Jews but has failed to admit that the responsibility was not that of individual Catholics but of the Church. Furthermore, he maintains an eerie silence about the passive role that the Church as a whole, as Pope Pius XII in particular (whom he wishes to canonize) played during the Holocaust.
I wrote the first quatrain on 3/14/00 and the second on 2/10/-0, compiling my poems on the Shoah.
3/14/00,2/10/09
poem by Gershon Hepner

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The Pope And Tiger Woods
The Pope dies on the very day
that Tiger Woods is whisked away,
their souls rise to the distant skies
where they soon meet with a surprise.
Administrative bungling can
affect in many ways a man,
the Pope (with nothing to repent)
was quickly to the Devil sent.
While Tiger passed the Pearly Gate
where he soon found a golfing mate.
The error was discovered though
St. Peter sent a note below
and told the Devil to release
the Holy Man, and promptly please.
The Devil liked the gentle tone
and put down his red Nokia phone,
next day the Pope was sent to Heaven
at fifteen minutes to eleven.
He met, halfway that Tiger bloke
who looked dejected, sad and broke
he said dear Sir, I'm truly sad
that clerk, he must have been quite mad,
I do belong of course in Hell
and you in Heaven, Sir, be well.
The Pope said son I am excited
and glad this mix-up now is righted,
and Virgin Mary....I can't wait!
Said Tiger, sorry one day late.
poem by Herbert Nehrlich

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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