Welcome Guest!
Teachers are welcome to read and post on Teachers.Net.
Login to access to these free features:
• Relaxed spam filters
• Post pics, links & comments
• Get notified of responses |
• Join teacher groups
• Apply to teacher jobs
• Post a resume |
Welcome Guest!
You must login to comment on posts.
Login to access to these free features:
• Relaxed spam filters
• Post links & upload pics
• Get notified of responses |
• Join teacher groups
• Apply to teacher jobs
• Post a resume |
Welcome Guest!
Your account must login to post.
Login to access to these free features:
• Relaxed spam filters
• Post, comment, & upload pics
• Get notified of responses |
• Join teacher groups
• Apply to teacher jobs
• Post a resume |
by Hillol Ray
Oct 19, 2001
/blockquote>
Leaning Tower of Pisa**
By
Hillol Ray
The famed Tower of Pisa has breached the threshold,
Tilting into a danger zone-
While an unforeseen event could cause the topple,
And set the demise tone!
A strong wind can blow it over, or even an Earth tremor
Could cause the crash-
Unless we pay the a...See More/blockquote>
Leaning Tower of Pisa**
By
Hillol Ray
The famed Tower of Pisa has breached the threshold,
Tilting into a danger zone-
While an unforeseen event could cause the topple,
And set the demise tone!
A strong wind can blow it over, or even an Earth tremor
Could cause the crash-
Unless we pay the attention now to save this marvel
Before it becomes a trash!
The laws of Physics and Gravity need to be re-examined
To prevent it from the fall-
And the residents of this medieval city, shrugging off the
warning,
Need the wake-up call!
The danger is real now, and the margin of safety
Is extremely low-
While the area beneath the tower is on a shaky ground,
Affected by the ground water flow!
This Renaissance masterpiece has weathered over time
To become 830 years old-
And attracted millions of visitors
Who like to treasure it as bullion of gold!
This marvel of marble is a famous landmark in Italy
And deserves the global attention now-
To prevent from the total collapse, and needs
The proper inclination through technical know-how!
The beauty of this leaning tower is impeccable
And holds fond memories of ancient ages-
While the fables can be found in various books,
When we flip through the history pages!
To ensure its longevity, experts need to come forward
With a long-term solution-
And I urge it sooner for the visitors’ safety,
With an eye to local pollution!
The livelihood of souvenir hawkers depends on the tilt,
But they can’t rest easy-
Because of the tilt that has kept the “Special Commission”
And the Government busy!
So, may I draw the global attention of technical experts?
To find a scientific way-
And insist on the proper inclination
To prevent this tower from any further sway!!
___________________________________________
** During an invited presentation and my recent visit
(Summer-2001) to Pisa, Italy, I had the opportunity to get
a glimpse of this marvel of marble with my own eyes. The
famed Tower of Pisa needs no introduction to the readers
and travelers around the world. It has a long history of
being on the verge of collapse. Work on this tower began
in 1173. After completion of the first four stories in
1178, work was abandoned for nearly a hundred years. The
last three stories were added between 1272 and 1278, and
evidence in the masonry indicates that the builders were
already trying to fix the problem related to a slight
tilt. Recent study indicates that the tower is now leaning
at a 5.5-degree angle, while the top edge is overhanging
the base by about 17 feet. Besides the Special
Commission, Artwatch International, a New York-based
Organization, in conjunction with the Italian Government
has been involved with the activities related to this
magnificent Tower of Pisa. My heartfelt appreciations go
to those Organizations, Special Commission, Italian
Government, and Technical Experts around the world that are
diligently working over the years to prevent the collapse
and preserve this tower.
Milestone
October 16, 2001
by Hillol Ray
Oct 24, 2001
/blockquote>
Chernobyl: A Continuing Catastrophe **
By
Hillol Ray
Nuclear accident at Chernobyl represents a worst disaster,
Recorded on the modern history page-
While the effects continue since April 1986,
And refuse to fade in spite of the age!
The disaster still affects the million lives
From the deadly ...See More/blockquote>
Chernobyl: A Continuing Catastrophe **
By
Hillol Ray
Nuclear accident at Chernobyl represents a worst disaster,
Recorded on the modern history page-
While the effects continue since April 1986,
And refuse to fade in spite of the age!
The disaster still affects the million lives
From the deadly radioactive rays-
In three countries – Belarus, Ukraine,
And the Russian Federation- since the meltdown days!
The explosion blew open the Chernobyl reactor
Within the twinkling of an eye-
And released the radioactive isotopes
Before anyone could even take a deep sigh!
The humanitarian catastrophe is by no means over,
And concerns about cancer are still looming-
While the dispersion into the air, and depositions
Onto the surface are quietly booming!
The situation from spewed radiation is still alarming,
And deserves international assistance-
Through research into environmental problems,
Followed by solutions against soil and air resistance!
The socio-psychological impact on the affected population
Needs to be re-examined now-
And the economic rehabilitation playing the vital role
In aftermath should tell it how!
Despite the strenuous and dedicated efforts,
Much still remains to be done to pave the way-
To remove the negative perceptions,
And build the public confidence that will never sway!
Multifaceted impacts of the Chernobyl disaster
May persist and will warn the mankind-
For several decades, to remind the death toll
From the explosion, and the reason behind!
The scars from the catastrophe still linger
And affect the survivors’ tissues-
While the scientists are restless,
And continue to wrestle with critical issues!
The memories may fade
But tragedy will continue at an alarming rate-
Through the undiagnosed sufferers
Who are solely depending on their fate!
Today the hue and cry from this human tragedy
Echoes around the global sky-
And blurs my vision of nuclear fission,
But keeps my hopes pretty high!
Let’s focus our eyes on Chernobyl now,
And coordinate the efforts to eradicate fear with pain-
Of those hapless sufferers, today and tomorrow,
And help them smile again!!
____________________________________________________________
____________
** The world’s worst nuclear accident occurred at
Chernobyl’s notorious nuclear power station and shook up
the industry, followed by the East-West ties. The Soviet-
era meltdown at Chernobyl on April 26, 1986 spewed
radioactive materials across Europe and killed about 30
people immediately. However, radiation is blamed for over
6000 subsequent deaths and millions in Belarus, Ukraine,
and Russia are still facing health problems. A barbed-wire
fence encircles an 18-mile “no-entry” zone around the
complex. Officials say, much of the zone is likely to be
relatively safe in 100 years. Currently the UN (United
Nations) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs is acting as an expeditious channel for donor
contributions towards international cooperation on
Chernobyl. But the relief efforts need to be continued.
Thus an attempt is being made to draw the attention of
global leaders as well as the serious readers to this
humanitarian issue through this poem on this United Nations
Day (October 24, 2001).
Milestone
October 24, 2001
by Hillol Ray
Oct 26, 2001
/blockquote>
Dialogue: A Seed for Global Relations **
By
Hillol Ray
The spirit and vision of human beings can be kept alive
Through “dialogue” as the key-
Irrespective of social status, money, and dwelling
From heaven to sea!
Dialogue knows no cultural, geographic,
Or social boundaries on this wide ope...See More/blockquote>
Dialogue: A Seed for Global Relations **
By
Hillol Ray
The spirit and vision of human beings can be kept alive
Through “dialogue” as the key-
Irrespective of social status, money, and dwelling
From heaven to sea!
Dialogue knows no cultural, geographic,
Or social boundaries on this wide open Earth-
And may open the door to a process of reconciliation
To douse the flame from disparity or racial hearth!
Dialogue can remove the insurmountable walls
Between people and create a new vision-
To embrace interdependence of mankind
And promote diversity as the secret mission!
Replacement of hostility and confrontation can be achieved
Via open dialogue without a doubt-
And conceive our diversity as a step towards peace
To eliminate the matching game of shout!
Dialogue may strengthen friendly relations
Among the nations that we desperately need-
And remove the threats to global peace
Via dialogue as the only seed!
To foster mutual cooperation and promote human rights
With fundamental freedom for all-
Dialogue is the only resource available today,
To influence the Nations – big or small!
Greater inter-relatedness among people can be harmonized
Through dialogue as the essential tool-
While the interactions among cultures will create
The warmth like a blanket made out of wool!
Dialogue may promote the cause for peace
And mutual respect in a crisis time-
To prevent the deadly wars that kill human lives,
Valued only as nickel or dime!
With progress of modern communications,
I cherish to see the silver lining behind the cloudy mind-
To unveil the suspicions and deal with dialogue
For the betterment of precious mankind!
So there’s no doubt in my vision today
That dialogue is a seed for the global relations of
tomorrow-
And we must allow it to germinate now
For the joy of humanity while removing the sorrow!!
_____________________________________________________
** The year 2001 has been proclaimed as the United
Nations “Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations”. This poem
is being dedicated to the commemoration of such a worthy
cause, and to promote universal respect for fundamental
freedom and human rights.
Milestone
October 26, 2001
by Hillol Ray
Oct 26, 2001
/blockquote>
The “Incorruptible Scrutinizer”
(A Tribute to Sir V.S. Naipaul,
2001 Nobel Prize Winner in Literature)
By
Hillol Ray
Of Indian-descent and Trinidad-born, Novelist Naipaul
Has become a household name-
Through his winning of Nobel Prize
For Novels and Essays of ageless fame!
Hello N...See More/blockquote>
The “Incorruptible Scrutinizer”
(A Tribute to Sir V.S. Naipaul,
2001 Nobel Prize Winner in Literature)
By
Hillol Ray
Of Indian-descent and Trinidad-born, Novelist Naipaul
Has become a household name-
Through his winning of Nobel Prize
For Novels and Essays of ageless fame!
Hello Naipaul, please accept
My deepest love and respect-
’Cause your creations are awesome
And truly heartfelt!
With elegance and uncompromising calmness,
You have expressed your prophetic tones-
To critique the ideals from Islam
To Post-colonial life and dig up the bones!
Your writings are eloquently informed
By the themes of dislocation, separation, and exile-
While you collected the materials
Through global trotting, mile after mile!
By virtue of fate and your living styles,
Your words are set in various places of the Earth-
And depict many themes from folksy Trinidad,
The place of your birth!
Explorations of modern India, the ancestral land,
Occupy a special place in your book-
While readers around the world are now opening
Their eyes to take a special look!
Bleak and scathing portraits of post-colonial Africa
In your novels bring out the tear-
About oppression and hostilities suffered by people
That lived in fear!
Your fiction is often autobiographical,
But non-fiction portrays the elements of fiction-
And creates the whirlwind in readers’ minds,
While reeling the thrill and addiction!
The personal feelings of your rootlessness
Describe you well as “the world’s writer” now-
And are neatly shown in your novels/stories
That the readers can learn from it how!
In conclusion, I love to say this:
Although it’s very true, as it is-
You have brought the glory to England, your home;
And to India, your ancestral land-
By unveiling the suppressed histories
From monarchy to tribal hand!
You are the “Literary Circumnavigator”,
And have encompassed the concerns of global mankind-
By the application of your literary sensitivity,
And transcended the barriers that we can easily find!
No doubt, you are the “Incorruptible Scrutinizer”,
While “The Enigma of Arrival” was the Committee’s choice-
But still your novels and stories will always shine
Through the history and echo your unique voice!!!
Milestone
October 12, 2001
by SLOC Environment
Nov 2, 2001
/blockquote>
As part of its efforts to host the "Greenest Games Ever,"
the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) for the 2002
Winter Olympic Games enlisted the help of Bill Nye, The
Science Guy to produce a video-"Salt Lake Valley Watershed
and You,"-that explains a desert watershed, air pollution,
and recycling to K...See More/blockquote>
As part of its efforts to host the "Greenest Games Ever,"
the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) for the 2002
Winter Olympic Games enlisted the help of Bill Nye, The
Science Guy to produce a video-"Salt Lake Valley Watershed
and You,"-that explains a desert watershed, air pollution,
and recycling to K-12 students.
In the video, Bill Nye the Science Guy dons cross-country
skis, portraying a biathlete, stopping to shoot trash into
a
recycling bin with a slingshot. He also takes viewers to a
trash dump to talk about reducing waste and composting.
Nye's messages highlight the individual's role in water and
energy conservation as well as the benefits of mass
transit.
VHS copies of the video are being distributed to all Utah
schools and are available to schools nationally on request
by emailing [email removed].
by Susannah Reese
Nov 6, 2001
/blockquote>
Hi, I'm a student at Lewis and Clark College in
Portland, OR, doing research on environmental
education, especially concerning two areas: the effect
of environmental education programs on parents'
attitudes and behaviors, and the issue of climate
change.
What, if any, parental environmental atti...See More/blockquote>
Hi, I'm a student at Lewis and Clark College in
Portland, OR, doing research on environmental
education, especially concerning two areas: the effect
of environmental education programs on parents'
attitudes and behaviors, and the issue of climate
change.
What, if any, parental environmental attitude/behavior
changes have you noticed as a result of your
environmental education programs? Anecdotes and
stories are fine, and if you've been involved in any
studies, information concerning these would be helpful
too.
Also, are any of you involved in environmental education
programs that incorporate the issue of climate change/
the greenhouse effect? If so, what methods are you
using to do this, and what is the response of students
to the lessons? Response of parents?
I'd really appreciate any information anyone has
concerning these issues. Thanks so much, keep up
the good work!
Susannah Reese
/blockquote>
I am looking for Earth Day plays for little ones. If you
have any or know where they are available I would
appreciate hearing from you. Thanks, Sunrise
Songs will also be part of my program, have any? Thanks
next page »
Teacher Chatboards
On 10/19/01, Hillol Ray wrote:
> Leaning Tower of Pisa**
> By
> Hillol Ray
>
> The famed Tower of Pisa has breached the threshold,
> Tilting into a danger zone-
> While an unforeseen event could cause the topple,
> And set the demise tone!
> A strong wind can blow it ...See More