Sonnet: Some Keys to Success

Mere labor can’t give success in our life;
Our perseverance is more important;
Some luck and pluck may work out amidst strife;
God gives us wisdom when prayers we chant.

Man’s struggle is futile without God’s part;
Impeccable schedules and plans don’t work;
Man’s nurtured talents may further his art;
God’s blessings serve as final finish stroke!

Man by himself cannot do many things;
Great feats are done with God as Friend and Guide;
Money and power fail even for kings;
Our common-sense helps us life’s waves to ride!

Our earthly feats must help fellow creatures;
Mundane pastures evoke divine raptures!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-26-2006

Sonnet: Save your Soul

The greatest too one day crash down to earth;
The lowest ones have joys, grief much the same;
Just few have silver spoon in mouth at birth;
A peaceful, virtuous life must be our aim.

No monument on earth can fetch heaven;
No wax-figures in halls of fame will help;
Death makes all creatures, high and low even;
It does not matter if dogs bite or yelp!

The state of soul is primary to God;
All sinners must repent and make amends;
The Lord decides one’s celestial rewards;
To earthly wants, God always still attends.

No edifice, name, fame forever stands;
The good we do enlists us in God’s bands!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-26-2006

Sonnet: To Kalaignar Avargal !

A leader great and scholar, statesman rules
The state, that’s poised for rapid strides forward;
The voters proved again that they weren’t fools!
To hold their heads high, Tamils now afford.

A writer, speaker, poet of renown,
And gifted tongue, he waves a magic-wand!
The bureaucrats will work well on their own;
God heard our pleas and blessed the Tamil land.

The air of freedom, breathe we can again;
The state will have good water / food for all;
The early monsoons will bring ample rain;
Promises will be kept, however tall!

God, give some extra years of life to him
Whose heart will make others’ lives lesser grim!

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-25-2006
Dedicated most respectfully to our beloved
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr.M. Karunanidhi

Sonnet: My Father- a Noble Soul!

Oh, what a lovely father, we have had!
He raised a family of children ten
In honest ways, God-fearing, never sad,
And put each one on road towards Heaven.

He kissed the sacred ground while entering church;
He taught his pupils scholarly and well;
Of social justice, his mind was in search;
He prayed by heart so fervently, I tell.

He left us education as our wealth;
He spoke to God in silence every night;
His earnings went to keep us in good health;
The world was wrong but he was always right!

Eternal Light shines on his soul today!
The noble path he trod is now our way.

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-23-2006
Written ahead on behalf of his wife and children,
In memory of his death anniversary, June fifth,

Sonnet: My Letter to God

I wrote a letter from my heart to God,
(As men on earth wallow in corruption),
Requesting Him to end my strife by nod
And keep my soul immune to Damnation!

I never know from whom my troubles come;
Sometimes, ’tis clear and true, I am at fault;
The temptations of devils make me dumb;
‘My sufferings of body, Lord, Please halt!’

God answered speaking right within my heart;
(Although delayed, His letter came on time!)
‘Just keep My code for life till you depart:
For everything on earth, I’ve set a clime.’

The Bible showed me how to live on earth;
God loves each man even before his birth.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-21-2006

sonnet: Mother's Day, 2006!

O earthly mother, you are truly great!
You’re wife to one who’as nobler in much ways;
You reared a family so well till date;
May God give you good health in your last days!

O earthly lady, hallowed be thine womb!
What sufferings you underwent for us!
May God give you more useful years ’fore tomb!
Through you, so many miracles, God does.

O noble soul of love, may God bless you!
Your love and care is just incomparable;
You toiled unceasingly for others too;
Our mother dear, you were so capable!

I pray God gives you some more years of joy!
I am so glad to be your youngest boy!

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-14-2006
Dedicated to my most wonderful, beloved, living mother
On Mother’s Day, 2006.

Sonnet: The Victorious Rising Sun!

The Rising Sun has made a glorious sweep!
Most voters’ hearts are jubilant again;
The state of Tamilnad is poised to leap!
The Sun is shining well this May with rain!

The eighth of May was ill-omen to some;
The year too totals digit-wise to eight!
The mathemagicians couldn’t solve the sum
That power is with people- was proved right!

The plight of poor fellow-men will improve;
A veteran Chief Minister resumes work;
He’ll rule the land of Tamils with great love!
The ones who lost could truly go berserk!

The Rising Sun will shine with splendor long!
All Tamils hearts echo this joyful song!

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-11-2006
Dedicated lovingly to the octogenarian,
Fifth time Chief Minister, Thiru. Dr. M.Karunanidhi

Sonnet: Rededication to God

Show me O God, the things I ought to do;
’Tis better that I act as per your wish;
My desires of life could anger you;
For, man by birth remains sinful/ selfish.

You only know what for you’d made me, God;
Let me perform the roles you assign me;
Success or failure needs your divine nod;
With duty done, I see Eternity.

Restrain me Lord from doing sinful deeds;
My time is short and keeping soul pure, tough;
From birth, you cater to my earthly needs;
Just help me Lord when weather turns too rough.

My life, I surrender to you, most High;
Your Will’s my goal on earth until I die!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-2-2006

Sonnet: Realities of Life

Some people known to us can act funny;
They have an air of pride o’er things they’ve done;
Life’s weather does not always stay sunny!
With past forgotten, days appear just fun.

The earth on which we stand may give way fast;
The air we breathe is polluted so much;
Our drinking water may not for long last;
Our earthly life looks transient as such.

A humble stance is needed most in life;
A man’s will-power /strength may fail him soon;
Our faith in God is tested when comes strife;
Our fear of God will serve to be our boon.

Let sense prevail in people whom we know;
To God’s mercy, every moment we owe.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-3-2006