BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, NJ Sohan

Is it the will of God that inspires me?

My heart and legs are tired from digging the field

Should my shoulders be able to bear burden to dig?

However, I feel the love for my four children

Whom I need to raise and educate

Thanks to the spirit of soul that drives me

Soon I will be home to pray with my wife

As I finish off my deeds

My body needs respite from working all day

I seem haughty and a bit witty

However, I am still the mysterious Captain Larry

Looking to move on to my next opportunity

Which will be capturing a whale

Where Jordan river meets the Dead sea

It is here I ask for thy love and blessing

As I will stay awake through the night

To catch the whale for my family

While the Lord watches me

As the rest of the world is asleep

Far off the coast we are

Yet, we are fearless and fully aware

That it could be many hours before the catch

At last, thank you to the whale

That it came laughing.

The Queen in Ottawa in 1992 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Canada and her 40th year on the throne. Photo by Ross Dunn

How sweet and lovely was the Queen Elizabeth II

That ruled the British kingdom

Who smelled like a fragrance of rose

Nations bowed down to her

For her praise and contribution to them

Although, she lived in a mansion

She had a kind heart caring needy people

Through her works and charity

Providing homeless shelter and food

She was the longest serving monarch in Britain

As she was served by fifteen Prime Ministers

From Winston Churchill to Margaret Thatcher to Boris Johnson

Although she never went to school

She learned constitutional history, law and French through private tutor

As she married her third cousin Prince Philip

Where she used ration coupon to save up

After the second world war

To buy the material for her wedding dress

The backside of the Statue of Liberty, adorned with broken chains, symbolizes the triumph over oppression and the unwavering journey toward freedom and progress.Photo by Sohan

They who have the power to change and will do nothing    

Will indeed be wiped away some day

Because people will lose respect for those autocratic leaders

Who are slow to act on their promises

Even the heaven and glory will be against them

Because of the oppressive regime

Who will fully try to overturn

The results of legitimate election

Igniting the riots in Capitol Hill

Instead of being the stewards of the government

They undermine the democracy and its principles

Refusing to accept the election results

However, people will revolt against those leaders

Who do not work for the people of the nation

Wrong is wrong no matter who does it or says it

Fool us once, shame on us

Fool us twice, shame on you

Because you are a threat to democracy

As America was founded on the principle

That there are no kings

Let the election happen

And let people vote for the right candidate

For an extraordinary leader will win the election

Because you are special to the whole world

A drifting balloon

If love were true, I would live forever

Unlike a deceived wife facing fear

Of retaliation from beloved husband

My love still remains forever

Thy smile lives with me; thy heart is in my heart

For I do not believe in your hatred towards me

In my eyes, you are precious husband that gave me the whole world

And showed me the hills, valleys and ocean of Virginia

The state known for lovers

Where we found our love

Where ever you go, I will follow you

In your footsteps, I see the plans for future

Of me, you and our sweet and adorable daughter

Whose virtue grows everyday like an orange in the farm

Only if her virtue matched yours

I would live to an eternity

Eastern Kingbird, a fierce fighter – Virginia

But how do I let you steal away from me

For you were supposed to be my daughter for the rest of life

And life was to be as long as love

For our life depends upon mutual love

Then I fear the worst is yet to come

You are gone leaving the baby orphan

When I wish I were the one to die before you

However, I will strive to make a better future for your child

That which will bring her peace and joy

Out in the mountains of Nepal

Although I am disappointed at my son-in-law

For leaving us in this state

As I constantly struggle to keep my mind sane

Because I have lost a beautiful daughter

Who was a heart of mine

However, I hope for the justice

That will bless me and my family

Because thy love surpasses my understanding

For thy love gives me joy even at my daughter’s death.

Salt harverting in Vietnam, by Quangpraha

I feel like a slave to the master

In a country governed by capitalism

I go to work and do the work given by my master

Is work creative and meaningful at all?

I question to myself but then I look at the reward

A biweekly paycheck to feed me and my family

I cannot complain but focus on my creativity

To solve the problem in collaboration with others

Because I am Mr. E

Who was once stung by a bee

Giving me a superhuman ability

To fly through the works at a super-fast pace

Although I am still a slave

Who waits for the clock to hit the evening

So that I can go to my family with treats

And hug my kids with love

Because I feel happy to be with them

As they are the world to me

And their will is my will

As I would do anything for them

Without thinking if and how it would cause me ill.