Atlantic air shifting waves
rustling the shore line
sifting
through coconut trees
where they stalk the beach
I sit alone
on a broken branch
breathing
Corentyne sands
watching seined men
gathering shrimps and fishes
as waves caress the sand
and recede
like a satisfied lover
look how frail crabs
shuttle about
in no particular direction
I rest my water coconut
between my legs
and cap my eyes
to peer at the horizon
with a rising sun
chasing shadows
where critters cannot sleep.
As if the world belongs
to know one else
but the Devil
within each blood-thirsty mind
opening doors with untamed anger
to clubber
and create carnage
of human flesh
one cracked skull
one severed hand
rape and rupture of the womb
deep inside hollow fear
of remorseless hate
how can such act of insanity
elude us with blind shame
to let the massacre
revile in its own dance
while we sit and wait
for blood stain to dry
in our naked hands
today we remember
Hutu and Tutsi are brothers too.
Leonard Dabydeen said…
Ample Blood by Nicholas Guillen
Eduardo Garcia Delgado, was a young soldier who wrote the name of Fidel with his
own blood on a door in a building in Ciudad Libertad just before he died, after
being gunned down by the US backed mercenary air force during the criminal
bombings of April 15, 1961.
When this soldier who died
for his country wrote Fidel
with his blood, do not say a Miserere:
that blood is a sign that
the Homeland lives.
When without voice,
he cannot find
words to express himself,
do not tell him to be quiet,
for in the pure tongue of the Homeland
it resounds.
When his body falls
lifeless to the ground keen to cover him,
do not say that he rests,
as for the Homeland he shines and works
upstanding.
Now no-one can stop his
joint and open heart.
Do not say that he has gone:
his ample blood remains part of the Homeland
Nicolás Guillén
(Translated by Mike Phillips)
Poem by Indira Babbellapati
a three year old
smeared with insane seed…
a daughter of earth
her hymen torn into
useless strips
a mutilated vagina
intestines in smithereens
o, mother earth
why don’t you charge
against your savage sons?
why don’t you throw
your fatal paw on these
barbaric bloodthirsty beasts?
let an earth-quake
bury them alive under
the vulgar sex hungry
contaminated debris
in gangs
in hoards
may they be stifled
may they struggle for breath!
put courage into your
daughters not to cringe
in guilt for no fault of theirs
let them display the wounds
of the crude act, in human assault
to the world with no shame
that Huns of this woman-plunderers
bow their heads in shame
nurture your girl-child
on manna of courage
and self-respect,
o, earth!
By: Jamie Collins
Today, we felt compelled to share an opinion piece, written by the Founder in light of Friday’s tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut. Please note that this piece does not necessarily represent the views of The Paralegal Society as a group, its individual Mentors or its Members, although it certainly may. Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.
From the mud-banks
of our coastal belt
through washing waves
of our sea shores
his voice echoed
with the wind
earthy and musical
resonant and breath-taking
we listen
we share
we sit under coconut tree
reading page after page
and now we take
one last look
at his name
to bow farewell
but never to leave
his work alone.
“This compilation of Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts and words, and his commentaries on the Bhagavad-Gita show the relevance of them to our troubled times.
These words are eternal; they carry in them truth that transcends all creeds and times, and speak to the human quest for purpose and meaning all through the ages.
In making them available to the people at large, Mr. Sahadeo shows his commitment to peace and goodwill amongst all people.”
Dr. Sehdev Kumar
Professor Emeritus
School of Continuing Studies
University of Toronto
INDIA INDEPENDENCE DAY !!
“Here is thy footstool and there rest thy feet where live the poorest, and lowliest, and lost.
When I try to bow to thee, my obeisance cannot reach down to the depth where thy feet rest among the poorest, and lowliest, and lost.
Pride can never approach to where thou walkest in the clothes of the humble among the poorest, and lowliest, and lost.
My heart can never find its way to where thou keepest company with the companionless among the poorest, the lowliest, and the lost. [ Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore ]
And in the heart of every twilight
where dreams are measured beyond sleep
where darkness has no forgiveness to offer the dawn of resplendent light
where every birth is bestowed the right to live, but bequeath the urge of plight
I come to offer prayer for our forefathers
who drifted to lands afar unknown in sight.
(Leonard Dabydeen)
Jai Hind !!! Happy India Independence Day !!! Best Wishes to all my FRIENDS, ASSOCIATES, BROTHERS AND SISTERS in India and of Indian origin around the world across oceans and seas and rivers, over mountains and valleys. NAMASTE !!!
Book: Mohandas K. Gandhi, Thoughts, Words, Deeds and His Inspiration: Bhagavad-Gita by Ramnarine Sahadeo,
Published by Reprographic and Printing Services, 13/2, Rasoolpura, Secunderabad 500 003, AP,India, ISBN 978-0-9868393-1-3
(2012): Second Edition.
Review by: Leonard Dabydeen
This second edition of author Ramnarine (Ramji) Sahadeo’s philosophical book: Mohandas K. Gandhi, Thoughts, Words, Deeds and His Inspiration: Bhagavad-Gita is a long overdue, guiding clarinet call to people of every religious belief, race, creed, sexual orientation, or political interests to follow the non-violent principles of the indomitable Mahatma (Great One) Gandhi, in an attempt to seek peace, prosperity and happiness in our troubled world.
The book is a studied embellishment from the debut first edition, which was launched to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11 – the unforgettable atrocities of the bombing of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre and the loss of thousands of lives of people of all walks of life. It is an attempt to point all of us to look at other 9/11s in history where visionary leaders have pleaded with human beings to live in peace, unity and harmony. Particular emphasis is highlighted in the speeches of Swami Vivekananda on September 11, 1893 to the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, U.S.A. And more in grace to the guidance of famous world leaders, in the likeness of Martin Luther King (Jr.) and Nelson Mandela is the speech by Mohandas K. Gandhi, The Moment of Truth, on September 11, 1906 inJohannesburg,South Africa at the Empire Theater. Gandhi , who is acclaimed the Father of Indian Independence (1947), displayed an impeccable stand for the principle of non-violence in the remarkable practice of Satyagraha – “soul force”; “truth force”; “insistence on truth”.
What was essentially Gandhi’s inspiration ? It is this pertinent question that stirred Ramji to dwell in the body of the book on the Bhagavad-Gita. This is the scriptural poem that influenced and inspired Gandhi all through his life. In the end we come to appreciate the Mahatma (Great One) as one of the greatest souls that set foot on this earth. Readers will no doubt shuffle the pages of this book in its various sections and headings to look for answers to bring peace and harmony in their own lives. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi:
“ When disappointment stares me in the face and when I am all alone and I do not see even one
ray of light, I go back to the Bhagavad Gita.
The author, Ramnarine Sahadeo, is a Guyanese-born Canadian practicing Law in the Greater Toronto Area since 1980. It is his fervent hope that this book will promote the change which people wish to see in their homes, their social environment and the world at large. In the back cover he writes:
“Justice systems would need fewer resources if residents can just avoid lust, anger, and greed, for
these vices clog the courts with expensive, unpredictable, and unnecessary litigation. Health and
social systems experience lower demands from those who exercise, perform yoga, meditate or follow
a vegetarian diet, practices followed by Gandhi and recommended by the Gita.”
The book is set in three parts: Part I greets the reader with an overview of how the Gita reaches the West, with a distinction of Nine Elevens apart from September 11, 2001; Part II brings the reader to the core verses of the spiritual poem of the Bhagavad-Gita; and Part III offers power-point comments on the Gita by Gandhi, along with influences of the Bhagavad-Gita that shaped the destiny of this great soul. In the end there is a glorifying explanation of the universal greeting of Namaste for all of us.
For copies of this book, either for yourself or for distribution to friends and family as gifts or for social gatherings, you may contact the author, Ramnarine Sahadeo: ramjihind@rogers.com. By phone: 905-671-9233.
Leonard Dabydeen is the author of: Watching You, A Collection of Tetractys Poems, Xlibris Publications, ISBN 978-1-4691-4802-1(2012). He is also listed in the World Poetry Movement’s BEST POETS & POEMS 2011 ISBN 978-1-61936-038-9 (2012); Hardcover.
Also he is a Licensed Paralegal and Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. Website: www.dabydeenparalegal.com.
Book: Mohandas K. Gandhi, Thoughts, Words, Deeds and His Inspiration: Bhagavad-Gita by Ramnarine Sahadeo,
Published by Reprographic and Printing Services, 13/2, Rasoolpura, Secunderabad 500 003, AP,India, ISBN 978-0-9868393-1-3
(2012): Second Edition.
Review by: Leonard Dabydeen
This second edition of author Ramnarine (Ramji) Sahadeo’s philosophical book: Mohandas K. Gandhi, Thoughts, Words, Deeds and His Inspiration: Bhagavad-Gita is a long overdue, guiding clarinet call to people of every religious belief, race, creed, sexual orientation, or political interests to follow the non-violent principles of the indomitable Mahatma (Great One) Gandhi, in an attempt to seek peace, prosperity and happiness in our troubled world.
The book is a studied embellishment from the debut first edition, which was launched to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11 – the unforgettable atrocities of the bombing of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre and the loss of thousands of lives of people of all walks of life. It is an attempt to point all of us to look at other 9/11s in history where visionary leaders have pleaded with human beings to live in peace, unity and harmony. Particular emphasis is highlighted in the speeches of Swami Vivekananda on September 11, 1893 to the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, U.S.A. And more in grace to the guidance of famous world leaders, in the likeness of Martin Luther King (Jr.) and Nelson Mandela is the speech by Mohandas K. Gandhi, The Moment of Truth, on September 11, 1906 inJohannesburg,South Africa at the Empire Theater. Gandhi , who is acclaimed the Father of Indian Independence (1947), displayed an impeccable stand for the principle of non-violence in the remarkable practice of Satyagraha – “soul force”; “truth force”; “insistence on truth”.
What was essentially Gandhi’s inspiration ? It is this pertinent question that stirred Ramji to dwell in the body of the book on the Bhagavad-Gita. This is the scriptural poem that influenced and inspired Gandhi all through his life. In the end we come to appreciate the Mahatma (Great One) as one of the greatest souls that set foot on this earth. Readers will no doubt shuffle the pages of this book in its various sections and headings to look for answers to bring peace and harmony in their own lives. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi:
“ When disappointment stares me in the face and when I am all alone and I do not see even one
ray of light, I go back to the Bhagavad Gita.
The author, Ramnarine Sahadeo, is a Guyanese-born Canadian practicing Law in the Greater Toronto Area since 1980. It is his fervent hope that this book will promote the change which people wish to see in their homes, their social environment and the world at large. In the back cover he writes:
“Justice systems would need fewer resources if residents can just avoid lust, anger, and greed, for
these vices clog the courts with expensive, unpredictable, and unnecessary litigation. Health and
social systems experience lower demands from those who exercise, perform yoga, meditate or follow
a vegetarian diet, practices followed by Gandhi and recommended by the Gita.”
The book is set in three parts: Part I greets the reader with an overview of how the Gita reaches the West, with a distinction of Nine Elevens apart from September 11, 2001; Part II brings the reader to the core verses of the spiritual poem of the Bhagavad-Gita; and Part III offers power-point comments on the Gita by Gandhi, along with influences of the Bhagavad-Gita that shaped the destiny of this great soul. In the end there is a glorifying explanation of the universal greeting of Namaste for all of us.
For copies of this book, either for yourself or for distribution to friends and family as gifts or for social gatherings, you may contact the author, Ramnarine Sahadeo: ramjihind@rogers.com. By phone: 905-671-9233.
Leonard Dabydeen is the author of: Watching You, A Collection of Tetractys Poems, Xlibris Publications, ISBN 978-1-4691-4802-1(2012). He is also listed in the World Poetry Movement’s BEST POETS & POEMS 2011 ISBN 978-1-61936-038-9 (2012); Hardcover.
Also he is a Licensed Paralegal and Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. Website: www.dabydeenparalegal.com.
