Ode To Fr. D

Ode To Fr. D 
(The man with a mission )

In your village, there's a mountain.
In the state, they need love's fountain.

Goa, a place people want to tour;

A small state yet has a unique hold

From the rest: whose customs and culture

Are influenced by the western world.

 

Neon signs brighten a foreign land

Thirst of knowledge from the ocean.

 Come, come back and you will agree.

That this place with coastlines stretching

Along the deep Arabian sea

Gives comfort to their heart's craving.

Come, come back to them.

These people who hunger and thirst

You know them as they call your name
They cry and say, "We need to be nursed!"
And this is not a guessing game.

"Come, come, we need you!

And they say to you, "Your people,
To nourish their body, mind, and soul 

Whom you love so true and noble;

And this is their ultimate goal.

Come, come back to them.

Your people who task to do the search

Are worthy of admiration

Who preserved the century-old churches

And the tropical spice plantations.

Yes, you are the one they desire
With wisdom and knowledge afire;

The people: the heart of your story.

The land with its lovely cashew tree
The taste of the famous Maddi 

Of the swaying coconut tree.

Once a Portuguese colony.

Come and be with them, anyway.

(N.B.) A dedication penned for our friend, Fr. Peter D'Mello, s.f.x. from Goa, an unassuming, versatile man of God with an aura of sanctity. (Greg & Tom Llorente) 09/10/2011) Rev. D'Mello was with Fr. Peter Fernandes, s.f.x. formerly a pastor of St. Timothy Church for some time when he took up his Masteral degree in Administration in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is back on his native soil in obedience to his Order to make boys men of God.