Επιμέλεια: Εύα Πετροπούλου Λιανού
The National Compass (A Personal Tribute to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela)
July 18, 1918 –December 6, 2013
The rhythms of life may or may not remain the same,
With or without the power –
And this is the truth, found in the history,
Written from the grave or ivory tower!
Modern science can fabricate the life of “lucky ones”,
Through wealth, education, and political tie –
While the majority battling against evils of society
Or lack of choice moves forward simply to die!
The present millennium has witnessd,
The racial disparity over a long period of time
In a country like South Africa where lives have been sold
For nickel, penny, and dime!
A sense of disillusionment permeated the nation,
Where oppression was moving under the veil
And the “darkness” in the horizon of spirituality
Among the “ruling minority” created the hell!
Millions of people died during decades of fighting,
To defeat or defend the apartheid forever –
While the million more were imprisoned without trial,
And many of them were found never!
Such a profound sadness in the history of mankind traumatized,
The heart of our Mandela, an octogenarian now –
Who was jailed twenty-seven years as a political prisoner,
But still guided his nation with a reconciliation vow!
Transition from a repressive society to a multiracial democracy,
Was smoothly steered by this National Hero –
And he is the “founding father of the new South Africa”,
Who rose to the Nation’s top from the ground zero!
His legacy of suffering, struggles and triumph,
Will prevail in the history from dusk until dawn –
Around the globe, in future millenniums, when ‘supremacy’
Cannot be used as the only pawn!
Today, the world has ushered in the “Mandela era”
To dignify the sense of fortitude and vision –
While carrying out his deep ‘ideals’ of “Truth and Reconciliation”
As the heaven-sent mission!
Hello, Mandela, please accept our deepest love and teary respect –
Because your self-sacrifice is truly remarkable and heartfelt!
You restored the deserving pride in a country ashamed of its past –
And replaced the old tyranny without another that will surely last!
You are the ‘reconciler’ who will be known as
The “Madiba Magic” for the generations to follow –
While your ‘steely’ determination is embedded
On the solid foundations, instead of being hollow!
You have offered forgiveness to the whites,
And with downtrodden blacks, you shared hope –
And they bring cavalcade of joy with infinite wisdom,
That mankind should be able to cope!
Today, as you are stepping down from the presidency,
Of the “Rainbow Nation”, I dearly wish you well –
While your motto of fight for human rights brightens our thought
And there it will surely thrive to dwell!
You overcame hatred and suspicion between
Whites and non-whites, and attracted the global view –
So now the tears of joy drench our cheeks,
Like the early mornings as moistened by the misty dew!
Mandela, you are the monumental force,
That orchestrated the South African history to change –
And exerted a commanding influence to eradicate
The apartheid from within your prison range!
As a statesman, peacemaker, and supreme moral authority,
You confounded the prophets of doom –
Without the bloodbath, and opened the doors of your heart,
To the oppressors as a discussion room!
You reached across the chasm of racial conflicts,
And crafted the new nation to relieve the oppressed mankind –
Through your strong spirit, untiring self-sacrifice
And dauntless determination that nowhere else we can find!
We know, the racial profiling is “morally indefensible,”
And “deeply corrosive” that can blur our vision –
But the credit goes to you, ‘cause you brought it
Before the ‘blind’ world, to achieve your only mission!
No doubt, Mandela, you are a ‘symbol of reconciliation’,
As well as a ‘symbol of anti-apartheid’ fight –
But eventually the mistakes were slowly unveiled,
And you showed us the path from darkness to light!
Your acts of magnanimity are too unique, and teach us,
To forgive man in his frailties without the reason –
And I hope this trend will prevail in the next millennium,
Irrespective of race or time, or even the season!
Well, in conclusion, I love to say this,
And this will be “always true” as it is –
Only you are the “master musician of souls”,
And your “Libertarian” lessons hold enormous power –
So the foundation of apartheid’s architects felt the tremors
Even from the throne and ‘Godly’ tower!
I feel humbled by your energy,
And invaluable role that will forge the new link –
Between the generations of present and future
Where we will be happy to sink!
You have steered the Rainbow Nation
Through stormy tides like in the troubled sea
And held the compass for right direction,
To replace sadness with the happiness key!
Today, I salute your courage and struggle for peace,
With freedom of the oppressed millions of the Earth –
And you will remain as an inspiration to me,
And countless others who witnessed the new nation’s birth!
Your messages through “Long Walk to Freedom”
Will be the guiding light from dawn until dusk –
In each millennium, present and the future,
To freshen our “mental smell” with the “deerly” musk!!
“Milestone” June 8, 2013”
© Copyright June 8, 2013, by Hillol Ray
Beauty is Known Not for A Beauty’s Sake By Hillol Ray
From a conspiring height, I analyze the didactic life now,
And the forces of its withdrawing waves along the way-
I found the passionate but unexpected moments lie,
And obscured, a vision tries to thwart me or sway!
The night-winds blew, and brooding skies failed,
And lightning acted as a sword to deter my quill-
So, I remained steady by God’s aspiration with inspiration,
And have climbed a ridge of life today with my own will!
I was inflamed by the daily use of her secret love,
And our common joy of life was so naturally born-
The passionate vitality, more real than a day’s reality,
Sent fabulous lullabies to nap until tomorrow’s morn!
Beauty is known not for a beauty’s sake, I think,
And nameless lovers love with a voracious lust-
But try to forget the tattled page of life and baby,
And a larger uncertainty divines the truth at first!
Composition of life is composed of romance and wisdom,
With the deep passionate abstraction of loveliness to view-
Sublimed and embodied in the shape of silence,
And a rare experience on Earth for a close few!
In clarity and tranquility above the impermanence of time,
I will ask you, God, to allow me in your “treasure house”-
And teach me the paradigm of love and silhouette beauty,
While rhymes will be composed by my quill or mouse!!!!
“Milestone” December 3, 2024
© Copyright December 3, 2024, by Hillol Ray
Ambitious Bliss By Hillol Ray
Friends:
You bring me flowers, gifts, and plants,
As I am slowly growing old now-
And my music and rhyme wrap in hymn,
As my youth went by somehow!
The tender and blushing bride my parents chose,
Had lots of hope beneath her dream-
But her lips failed to touch mine,
As my heartthrobs cooled by an arctic stream!
Ambitious bliss persuades me now,
And whispers softly about the “wedding cake”-
But my youth has deprived me of the bride’s love,
And unearths lamentations for the happiness’ sake!
Now I rise and praise her loud and clear voice,
As my quivering soul sings so free-
And keeps her breath that loves to heave,
But swells among folded leaves of my willow tree!!
“Milestone” December 4, 2022
© Copyright December 4, 2022, by Hillol Ray
Biographical Sketch of Dr.Hillol Ray
Hillol Ray, B.S. (Civil Engineering), M.S. (Environmental Engineering), D.Litt., Ph.D. (Doctor of Humanity), D.Phil. (Theology), Ph.D. (Honoris Causa), D.Phil. (Nigeria), D.Litt. (Morocco), Ph.D. (Morocco), Fellow of the Royal Society of Health (London), Founder Fellow of the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers (United Kingdom), Poet Laureate, Author,Song Writer, Translator, and Multilinguist, is a Civil – Structural – Environmental Engineer with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Dallas, Texas. Born and raised in a suburb of Kolkata, India, he received letters of personal compliments for his innovative thoughts and poems from the U.S. former President Bill Clinton, the U.S. former Vice President and Nobel Peace Laureate Al Gore, Jr., the U.S. former EPA Administrator Ms. Lisa P. Jackson, former Indian Ambassador S.S. Ray in Washington, D.C., from Madame Francine Cousteau, President of the Cousteau Society, Inc. in Paris, France (and wife of world-renowned Oeeanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau), and Mother Teresa of Kolkata, India. His impressive professional and literary successes stem from his deep love and dedication for man and his environment.
As an apostle of a sustainable world leading to the improvement of human rights and peace, tolerance and environmental awareness, Hillol has vested his lifelong work, financial resources, and creative writings by establishing the Hillol Ray Foundation for Human Rights (HR FF HR), Hillol Ray Foundation for Peace and Environment (HR FF P and E) and Diamond Think Tank, USA.
In 2006, he received the NFIA (National Federation of Indian American Association) Award in Liberal and Fine Arts from Long Beach, California, USA. His biography has appeared in “500 Leaders of Science”, “International Directory of Distinguished Leadership” – both published by the American Biographical Institute (ABI) in North Carolina, USA and in many other biographical books, including International Biographical Centre (IBC) from Cambridge, United Kingdom. Nationally and internationally interviewed, his works have appeared in many magazines, web sites, and anthologies around the world. In February 2018, he was presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by the Marquis Who’s Who of New Jersey, USA. Dr, Ray is listed in Who’s Who in Asian-Americans, Marquis Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, and Who’s Who in the World. In June 2022, he was presented with “World Ambassador of Culture and Peace” by the IFCH of Kingdom of Morocco. On July 10, 2024, Dr. Ray was felicitated as Honorary Fellow and Distinguished Scholar, by the International Academy of Ethics (IAE).
Web Links:
https://bwesner.wixsite.com/hillolraypoetry
https://bwesner.wixsite.com/awards-2016-to-2030
