Whatev’r Did I Get in Return?
I climbed the roof, replacing broken tiles
And many times I’d slipped;
I went to stores by walking many miles,
But I couldn’t be tight-lipped.
I dug the water channels for the trees,
And swept the ground so clean;
I prayed to God to maintain our home’s peace,
So cruel life had been!
I climbed the trees and plucked mangos, drum-sticks;
And put the fences up;
I paved the floors and built the walls with bricks
Life gave a bitter cup!
I washed the clothes, pots, pans and cleaned cob-webs,
And performed house-hold chores;
But never could prevent the way life ebbs,
I painted windows, doors.
So many things I’d done in my childhood
Whatev’r did I get in return?
And now I slog for my family’s good,
I continue to learn.
But this is how we spend our wretched life,
On earth since we’ve been born;
Alone we must be in joy, grief and strife,
Our earthly life’s forlorn.
And yet, our childhood life was good,
Despite all heavy odds;
And cooking was by fire-wood,
We got both love and rods.
And yet I loved the yesterday,
God showed me my own way;
And how I hate each new birthday,
Live, we must, come what may.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 22-1-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
New Year 2012, a Christian Message
Though born in dark hours, New Year shall be bright,
As Jesus Christ is Truth and Way and Light;
Don’t worry for today’s worries are much;
Just pray to God to give the soothing touch!
The Almighty has plans to bless New Year;
Just live your life soul-wise and loving dear;
If thoughts be cleaner, sins be lesser, Man,
Then change your life for better, God’s grace can!
God gave some strife in Old Year for our good;
His Word’s enough for earthly livelihood;
The God of love will bless you immensely,
If you fix heart’s gaze to eternity!
God is the Master of the universe;
He is sole Lord; not wealth or money-purse;
To God, all things are possible with ease;
His only Son brought joy to man and peace!
Take up your cross in life and follow Christ;
You will be sin-free, not satan-enticed;
Aim for treasures in heaven that’s priceless;
Your earthly bliss shall grow to be boundless!
So, live a life in New Year as God wants;
Say thanks and praise the Lord by hymns and chants;
God cares for all giving both sun and rain;
Spend time in prayer more – a boon, not bane!
Let good men lead lives better than they must;
God undoes rods and frees those hearts accursed;
Have trust in Him who loved you when He made;
Your earthly good deeds will bear fruits, not fade!
‘Happy New Year,2012! ’
Fondly dedicated to my family, relatives and friends
Copyright by Dr John Celes 01-01-12
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sonnet: Some Secrets of Life
Our earthly life is merely adjustments
Of various kinds with things that surround us;
Depending on our many involvements,
We get results called failure or success.
Whatev’r we give to others matters most;
Whatev’r we share is also important;
Whatev’r we get back is finally lost;
Whatev’r we take back is significant!
The cause of creation was love of God;
His love had made the universe and man;
There’s not a thing o’er which we can ev’r lord,
Except the love returned in our life’s span!
Why waste our precious life and time God gave?
More than all beasts, man must better behave!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-30-2009
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sonnet: A Man’s Life Is His Wife
How can one be unkind to one’s one wife,
The better-half who shares his joys and grief?
The woman ’hind the success in his life,
Who serves him lovingly though life is brief?
The share of toil she renders is far great;
From child rearing to cooking, loving chores;
She dons the family’s problems as her fate;
Her life gets spent like house-arrest ’hind doors.
How can a man to wife be ungrateful?
His wife’s a shadow of his own image!
No husband good can be to her hateful;
In both his eyes remains his wife’s visage!
How then can man be unkind to his wife?
The better shouldn’t be kept bitter all life.
poem by John Celes
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In Life on Earth…
The west is not always the best
And east not always the worst;
The north is indiscernible;
The south is unexplainable.
Never ape all things you find around;
Never follow ones un-understandable;
Emulate the good found in others;
Take the good what cultures offer you.
Give unto Caesar what is due to him;
Give unto God what rightly belongs to Him;
One cannot serve both world and God
Except by being righteous all the time.
Nothing you do must exceed its limits;
There are some things that God abhors;
Both good and bad on earth are transient
But will decide your spot in after-life.
Learn to be wise and risk not priceless life;
Learn to not hate but love others around;
Learn to adjust with neighbours and creatures;
Learn to seek God and truth by being holy!
In life on earth, we ought to live right way;
Our conscience will ably guide us through;
Why worry for things earthly, lasting short?
Work for those things eternal in heaven!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 19-04-'12
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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‘Happy Birthday’ My Dear Sister, Clemencia!
The strong-girl of our home!
She did the hardest chores;
And helped mother at work,
And locked the house’s doors.
She was a simple dame;
But received all the blame;
She yearned for love and name;
Life played a cruel game!
She loved to talk her heart,
And learned on own some art;
Unlucky on her part,
She remains right from start.
She is an Aquarian;
Devoted Marian;
She leads a spinster’s life,
Alone, amidst much strife.
May God bless my sister,
On her birthday today!
And grant her will-power
To walk in Heaven’s way.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-11-2006
Dedicated to my dear elder sister,
Miss. Noeline Mary Clemencia, CBE.
poem by John Celes
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My Childhood Reminiscences
My younger brother holds my hand;
We stand upon the edge of land;
We stand amidst the coastal rock,
And I am young; wearing a frock!
Our buddy Dog is with us too;
He sits so well like me and you;
We three are watching th’ mighty sea –
Awesome expanse of water free!
The waves are small and move freely;
Some giant ones too come, may be;
The sea appears so calm truly –
Cynosure of tranquility!
But life has not been thus always;
My brother has now changed his ways;
The dog had spent its earthly days;
‘Time, tide awaits no one’, - th’ adage says!
My life today is not happy;
Some things happen like Tsunami;
We can reset some things, may be;
But life can be at times stormy!
Our childhood days will not return;
Sometimes in dreams, we always yearn;
Wisdom in earthly life, we learn;
Some day, we all must become urn!
Yet, there’s no use in feeling sad;
The world can sometimes make us mad;
Excess of emotions is bad;
Let’s live life being always glad!
To die is earthling’s destiny;
Why fret and fume in mutiny?
Avoid in life ignominy;
Like sea-shore sands, man seems tiny!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 08-11-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Life is Too Precious to Lose
Our life on earth is most precious –
A gift of God to all earthlings;
A token of God’s love for us –
And man must live akin to kings!
The life-giver alone has right
To take away the life from us;
Will anyone with good eye-sight
Destroy it on some lame excuse?
The God of life, the living God
Loves each of us with love equal;
He’s kind and gives a just, fair rod,
And made hell for hearts of evil.
While doctors try to save man’s life,
Some try to take away one’s own,
On flimsy reasons with a knife/
By ingesting drugs called poisons.
Some try to hang oneself to death;
They feel that life has turned worthless;
They find, ‘all is not well on earth, ’
And try to end their life priceless!
What foolish act is suicide
Or attempting to take one’s life!
In haste most try to thus decide –
’Midst youngsters, this is turning rife!
And ragging is a cause sometimes
A fresher uses to end life;
And loneliness, old-age at times,
Excess suffering and undue strife!
Whatever be the cause behind,
The act is done in hurried way;
Some plan it very well in mind,
And even choose the hour and day!
To cut the thread of earthly life –
Just fools and weak-willed persons do;
Some cannot face penury, strife,
Life’s challenges, just trifles too!
And some escape from their rash act,
And thank the stars for sparing life;
And vow never to fast react
Again in life, despite much strife.
No doubt, our earthly life has woes;
And some may not manage their grief;
To some, life’s song too sadly goes;
Some end their life for pain’s relief!
Some try to immolate and die;
Some live disfigured, looking weird;
Some escape although death was nigh,
And live by Bible’s every word!
’Tis sad to hear of one’s demise;
The family is shattered fast;
Suicide is a thing unwise,
That puts someone into the past!
The Creator can’t bear to see
Life gone away prematurely;
Even the stars might cry freely
When man attempts to die early!
Our earthly life is quite worthy,
Despite all strife that comes, may be;
The caring God will help surely
To live, a wholesome life truly!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 02-17-2009
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Happy Birthday, Dear Octogenarian Poet! May You Live Longer!
We heard today 'tis your happy birthday!
Eighty-one years had slipped away smoothly;
Thank God, you are just what you are today;
Our life must go on as per destiny!
Despite all strife, life has been kinder still;
What you had done, not many can ev'r do;
The good thing is you are not very ill!
God's wisdom and blessings reach but a few.
Each one's life-span is set by God Himself;
He gives us freedom to reduce/ prolong;
Man's work is judged not by his accrued pelf;
Ev'n now, your life just stays a blissful song!
Yet, none prevent the changes around us;
The strongest man has weaknesses galore;
God's work that's prime, if you do without fuss,
Can open yet, another wider door!
Age does not matter but your mind and heart;
Health will be good if your soul stays quite pure;
And if you'd been righteous right from the start,
To ripe old age, God helps you well endure!
"Happy Birthday, Dear Uncle Poet R.R.!
May You Live Longer! "
Copyright by Dr John Celes 13-07-'12
poem by John Celes
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Our Childhood Reminiscences
But this is how we were when kids;
And this is how most passed childhood;
We dressed and played all kinds of games;
We never knew what risks, life brings.
Our childhood life was best of all;
Our parents met our every want;
What love they gave, we can’t repay;
Our lives went off in dreams and play.
Those pleasant days cannot come back;
The memories are evergreen;
As children we were angelic!
Oh, what a change when now adults!
Those were the days of real joy;
A little pain was there, sometimes;
To most, it was a care-free life;
We wish but can’t go back in time!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 11-27-2007
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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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: Sufferings- the Key to Life
Through sufferings, we are born to lead this life;
Through sufferings, we are even baptized;
Through sufferings, we all must meet our strife;
Through sufferings, we’re even magnetized.
Through sufferings, sometimes we have our joy!
Through sufferings, we earn our livelihood;
Through sufferings, we grew to man from boy;
And sufferings’ our teacher from childhood!
Through sufferings, we learn in life good things;
Through sufferings, we learn to live well, pray!
Through sufferings, big truths, this world us brings;
By sufferings, we fight ‘gainst Tempter’s ways.
Yet, sufferings- a blessing God us gave,
To keep the road to Heaven, well behave!
poem by John Celes
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Hats Off to the Woman, Who…
Hats off to the woman, who bears children
With labor-pains, completing family;
Hats off to the woman, who rears the young,
Making her babies suckle at her breasts;
Hats off to the woman, who tends to both
Husband, children, others with care and love;
Hats off to the woman, who does all things
For others’ sake, selflessly all her life;
Hats off to the woman, who keeps the home,
And raises her children in forbearance;
Hats off to the woman, who labors hard
And burns the midnight-oil for family;
Hats off to the woman, who contributes
Fiscally by working in a work-place;
Hats off to the woman, who patiently
Toils, to keep the harmony of her home;
Hats of to the woman, who can also
Extend tender, loving care to old-aged;
Hats off to the woman, who has God first
In life, and sacrifices for the rest;
Hats off to the woman, who can smile
To all, despite her grief, anguish and strife in heart;
Hats off to the woman, who turns the home
A virtual Paradise on earth all life;
Hats off to the woman, who loves to slog,
And toils to raise her family with love;
Hats off to the woman, who’s an angel
To all, by being a good example.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-21-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Son of the Soil, Congrats!
O Son of the soil, you have achieved greatness!
Your labour, perseverance helped you much;
But grace of God was signal for your feat;
Remember, greater things are wrought by God!
Let money not become your guiding force;
Let love of lucre, not decide life's lanes;
Let doing good deeds take the upper hand;
Let sense of values, principles remain!
The welfare of the common man is prime;
The sufferings of the poor must be lessened;
The master must be servant to turn great;
Mere earthly glory shouldn't be our life's goal!
Another feather in your cap has come;
Another rung in life's ladder, you climbed;
There are more things to accomplish in life;
So, you must stay level-headed life-time!
'Wish you many more grand achievements in life! '
From Dean, IRT PMC & H, Perundurai
Copyright by Dr John Celes 20-07-12
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Friendship Day,2008
A good friend is a...
Divine gift in earthly life;
Boon in life’s situations;
Helper in times of needs;
Consolation in times of grief;
Fountain of joy and happiness;
Source of inspiration and guidance;
Companion for a life-time;
Gateway to air your feelings;
Soul to share your opinions and secrets;
Precious addition to your family;
De-stressor in distress;
Comfort in life’s travail;
Guide to personality;
Wealth that is rarely found and hardly gained!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 8-3-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A short poem on life
Life is a gift
life can be cruel
life can be kind
life can be hard
life can be tough.
life is mysterious
life is strange
life is complex
life is weird.
life has twists
life has turns
life has ups
life has downs.
life for good
life for bad
life for war
life for peace.
life and love
life and hate
life and growth
life and death.
poem by Kevin Halls
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Sonnet: Most Earthly Things Don't Last For Long!
There are some things we wished to have in life;
We tried our level-best to get them fast,
Despite our poverty, trials and strife;
But once acquired, they turned things of past!
There are some more, we could not get at all,
Despite our many struggles to procure;
But then, they turned like autumn leaves that fall;
And left us just the anguish to endure!
Nevertheless, all earthly things don't last;
Our soul carries the good and bad, we do;
Our evil done stealthily looks aghast;
The good we did becomes scarce, almost few!
All things of earth return to dust some day!
The state of soul decides after-life's way!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 25-06-12
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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To my Wife dear, beloved in Christ…
Twenty years of married life have rolled off fast!
Our woes and trials are things of the past;
Our earthly problems, strife cannot long last;
The world of joys in store for us is vast!
The love you gave to me was memorable;
The care you gave us all was adorable;
The timely words you spoke were admirable;
The toil you gave for family – incomparable!
Life’s burden seems lighter when in Christ Lord;
We’ve learnt to live in piety, accord;
The Lord is our refuge and strength, fortress;
Let’s call to Him aloud when in distress.
Let love be bond between the spouses two;
Let fortitude be guide in things we do;
Let earthly life be Christ-centered in base;
Let heaven be our goal and dream always.
May God bestow His blessings on us dear!
Let’s work unceasingly and without fear;
Let peace prevail when end of life gets near;
Let grace of God become soul’s dress and gear!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 29-10-2010
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Happy Birthday, Dear
Your birthday is a special day to you,
That brings fond memories of your earthly birth,
And thoughts of expectations high, anew;
It is a day you grow older with mirth!
With each birthday, you feel wiser and bright:
That success in your life is somewhat near;
You make your mind to continue your fight,
And try to live your life without much fear.
’Tis good to celebrate one more birthday;
Thank God for His kindness, protection, love;
Abide in Him and fervently do pray;
Our earthly life should markedly improve!
But never feel sadder on your birthday;
Feel proud to walk beside God in His way.
7-5-2002
poem by John Celes
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Not Just a Better Half
(A tribute to my god given life partner)
She's my love, she's my life
So dear to me, she's my wife
Life we have to live this world
Is full of joy and bliss all bold.
Mirror she is, I see myself
Solace in her I find when down
Mentor to me, I learn all time
Happy am I, she's born to me.
Chores she does, chorus we sing
Duo's we do all work with fun
I pass my arms then through her hair
Care she feels from me all while.
Home we built, a fortress it is
Base that’s firm on love so true
Family that prays together all way
Life its full that’s heaven on earth.
Me myself, in her heart I found
Not just my half but all my full
Life would never have been so full
Had never she spent this life with me.
poem by Dr Anish Mathew John
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X'MAS MESSAGE 2012 - The Realities of Earthly Life
Life looks great
when our dreams, desires and accomplishments come through
on time, and as per our expectations.
Life turns dull, dreary and monotonous
when something exciting fails to happen,
and remain elusive for long.
Life becomes sad and worthless
when grief and woes often beset
our compromised earthly life.
Life seems worth living
when our hope and trust is in God alone
and God is with us!
THE GOD OF LIFE
GAVE US EACH OUR LIFE
AND HIS ONLY SON'S PRICELESS LIFE
UPON THE HOLY CROSS
TO REDEEM ALL MANKIND!
WHAT A LOVELY GOD
AND WHAT A WAY TO SHOW HIS LOVE
TO HUMAN BEINGS
HE MADE FROM JUST CLOD!
COPYRIGHT BY Dr John Celes 28-11-12
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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