Memories of Childhood Bliss!

Hello! Your voice rings…

After decades—over the phone,

I hear—from continents apart. Our

Kids are older than we were

When we saw last, but

The grade-school lunch of potatoes

You shared, smells appetizingly fresh

Of childhood bliss—from wherever

The memories are held!

Poetry: Copyright ©2011VeeraMahal Franklin

A Tribute to Janice Elaine Keck

Janice, had been such an energetic and motivating person it is hard to assimilate the fact. She was like a lantern atop the hill for Williamson County---reached the community and people of all ages. Can't believe that ever welcoming warmth and smile is no more!

She lived like a flame kindling others hearts and aspirations. Like a flame she was swept away so suddenly and swiftly...

Thinking of Janice!

Of light atop the mountain---

Flame swept silently away

And up to heavens...

-A Poetry Tribute to Janice Keck by VeerajaR

But, Williamson county and the people of all ages, race and ethnicity whom she has touched with her service will continue to reap the benefits--gifts of her great soul! We may have lost a friend on earth, but gained an angel in heaven to lookout for us and our writer/artist aspirations and achievements!

Copyright©2011 VeeraMahal Franklin

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/knoxnews/obituary.aspx?n=janice-elaine-keck&pid=148834532&fhid=5461

Haiku: Lambardi is going home!

Haiku is a Japanese form of Poetry with a three line 5,7,5 syllables. It's a condensed form of poetry, second only to the two line versus of "Thirukural" in Thamil.

In Thirukural, a lot of facts, comparisons, contrasts, and meanings are packed firmly and beautifully within two rhyming lines. But, rhyming has no importance in Haiku. It is the rhythm. What is not said and left for the reader to extrapolate or fill in--is part of the beauty of Haiku.

Being from WI and a longtime Packer fan, I am celebrating today's victory game with a Haiku of my own:

Cheese melts steel ball-

Lambardi is going home

Super Bowl XLV!

For the first time, I joined my family to watch the game with Packer Backers Franklin. It turned out to be a lucky day for all Greenbay Packers' fans!

Copyright©2011 VeeraMahal Franklin

Snow and Me

The climate is changing, but cooler, everywhere! From snowing heavily in Tennessee to 18F in Colombo. Heavy showers and flooding seems to affect Australia to Ceylon. Whatever happened to the global warming? Is it the domino effect of global warming?

It is getting colder and snowing heavily in Tennessee each year. TN looks a lot like Wisconsin when covered in snow. A lot like WI! I thought I moved away from the cold winter wonderland to warmer climate---light leather-jacket winters.

Alas...! Snow has followed me all the way to TN. But, it's not all that bad... you see. We were blessed with a beautiful WHITE Christmas!!! Call it... a picture perfect or rather Christmas card perfect!!

Copyright©2011 VeeraMahal Franklin

AFTER THE SNOW SHOWER

Have you ever seen the vultures sunbathe after a snow shower?

We had the thickest (4") snow cover that stayed a week long till last Sunday. When we were rushing to Sunday mass the sun had come out and the air was beginning to feel warm. I beheld the rarest scene ever as our car swept past along the road. Twenty to thirty vultures were lined up, side by side in one file on two adjacent rooftops---facing the sun, each with stretched wings touching the comrades' on both sides.

I screamed in awe and looked back to make sure I did not imagine the scene. It was for real; the vultures were sunbathing or rather energizing with their solar panels in full span against the sun. We were late to church and thus had to miss the best photo opportunity ever.

This photo is the next best shot I got today. We had snow shower day before yesterday. It got warmer today with the sun shining brightly in the morning. My better-half kindly obliging, we went for a drive in the car looking for the vultures. They were not to be found at the spot we saw last. But then we spotted them on the roof of this nice old house. It looked like they're chilling out rather than sunbathing. I guess they are just doing the warm up before stretching their wings!

Since this house was by a junction, we could not stop too long.

It is Saturday and the day has just started. We continued on our quest, but no more vultures to be seen. However, we came upon these beautiful horses peacefully sunbathing--their shiny bodies at perfect angle against the morning sun!

They look so serene as if in prayer; "Thanks Be to GOD!"

Copyright ©2011 VeeraMahal Franklin

THE GUIDING STAR

Have you looked for the STAR

That will light your path

Leading you through life

Saving from evil and perils?

Have you felt...

LOVE for yours and the needy

Yearned and prayed for PEACE

JOY in sharing goodness?

Have you found the STAR

That makes you worthy

Shining through joyfully

Burning deep within... not far!

MAY GOD'S GRACE, PEACE AND JOY SHINE UPON YOU

THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR, 2011!!!

Copyright ©2011 VeeraMahal Franklin

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Just relax with family and...

Have God's Peace, Love

and

Joy at Christmas,

and

Each and everyday

In the New Year, 2011!!!

VeeraMahal Franklin