☀️ JOIN SPN MOBILE
Forums
New posts
Guru Granth Sahib
Composition, Arrangement & Layout
ਜਪੁ | Jup
ਸੋ ਦਰੁ | So Dar
ਸੋਹਿਲਾ | Sohilaa
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ | Raag Siree-Raag
Gurbani (14-53)
Ashtpadiyan (53-71)
Gurbani (71-74)
Pahre (74-78)
Chhant (78-81)
Vanjara (81-82)
Vaar Siri Raag (83-91)
Bhagat Bani (91-93)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਝ | Raag Maajh
Gurbani (94-109)
Ashtpadi (109)
Ashtpadiyan (110-129)
Ashtpadi (129-130)
Ashtpadiyan (130-133)
Bara Maha (133-136)
Din Raen (136-137)
Vaar Maajh Ki (137-150)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ | Raag Gauree
Gurbani (151-185)
Quartets/Couplets (185-220)
Ashtpadiyan (220-234)
Karhalei (234-235)
Ashtpadiyan (235-242)
Chhant (242-249)
Baavan Akhari (250-262)
Sukhmani (262-296)
Thittee (296-300)
Gauree kii Vaar (300-323)
Gurbani (323-330)
Ashtpadiyan (330-340)
Baavan Akhari (340-343)
Thintteen (343-344)
Vaar Kabir (344-345)
Bhagat Bani (345-346)
ਰਾਗੁ ਆਸਾ | Raag Aasaa
Gurbani (347-348)
Chaupaday (348-364)
Panchpadde (364-365)
Kaafee (365-409)
Aasaavaree (409-411)
Ashtpadiyan (411-432)
Patee (432-435)
Chhant (435-462)
Vaar Aasaa (462-475)
Bhagat Bani (475-488)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੂਜਰੀ | Raag Goojaree
Gurbani (489-503)
Ashtpadiyan (503-508)
Vaar Gujari (508-517)
Vaar Gujari (517-526)
ਰਾਗੁ ਦੇਵਗੰਧਾਰੀ | Raag Dayv-Gandhaaree
Gurbani (527-536)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਹਾਗੜਾ | Raag Bihaagraa
Gurbani (537-556)
Chhant (538-548)
Vaar Bihaagraa (548-556)
ਰਾਗੁ ਵਡਹੰਸ | Raag Wadhans
Gurbani (557-564)
Ashtpadiyan (564-565)
Chhant (565-575)
Ghoriaan (575-578)
Alaahaniiaa (578-582)
Vaar Wadhans (582-594)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੋਰਠਿ | Raag Sorath
Gurbani (595-634)
Asatpadhiya (634-642)
Vaar Sorath (642-659)
ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਰੀ | Raag Dhanasaree
Gurbani (660-685)
Astpadhiya (685-687)
Chhant (687-691)
Bhagat Bani (691-695)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਤਸਰੀ | Raag Jaitsree
Gurbani (696-703)
Chhant (703-705)
Vaar Jaitsaree (705-710)
Bhagat Bani (710)
ਰਾਗੁ ਟੋਡੀ | Raag Todee
ਰਾਗੁ ਬੈਰਾੜੀ | Raag Bairaaree
ਰਾਗੁ ਤਿਲੰਗ | Raag Tilang
Gurbani (721-727)
Bhagat Bani (727)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੂਹੀ | Raag Suhi
Gurbani (728-750)
Ashtpadiyan (750-761)
Kaafee (761-762)
Suchajee (762)
Gunvantee (763)
Chhant (763-785)
Vaar Soohee (785-792)
Bhagat Bani (792-794)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ | Raag Bilaaval
Gurbani (795-831)
Ashtpadiyan (831-838)
Thitteen (838-840)
Vaar Sat (841-843)
Chhant (843-848)
Vaar Bilaaval (849-855)
Bhagat Bani (855-858)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੋਂਡ | Raag Gond
Gurbani (859-869)
Ashtpadiyan (869)
Bhagat Bani (870-875)
ਰਾਗੁ ਰਾਮਕਲੀ | Raag Ramkalee
Ashtpadiyan (902-916)
Gurbani (876-902)
Anand (917-922)
Sadd (923-924)
Chhant (924-929)
Dakhnee (929-938)
Sidh Gosat (938-946)
Vaar Ramkalee (947-968)
ਰਾਗੁ ਨਟ ਨਾਰਾਇਨ | Raag Nat Narayan
Gurbani (975-980)
Ashtpadiyan (980-983)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਲੀ ਗਉੜਾ | Raag Maalee Gauraa
Gurbani (984-988)
Bhagat Bani (988)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਰੂ | Raag Maaroo
Gurbani (889-1008)
Ashtpadiyan (1008-1014)
Kaafee (1014-1016)
Ashtpadiyan (1016-1019)
Anjulian (1019-1020)
Solhe (1020-1033)
Dakhni (1033-1043)
ਰਾਗੁ ਤੁਖਾਰੀ | Raag Tukhaari
Bara Maha (1107-1110)
Chhant (1110-1117)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕੇਦਾਰਾ | Raag Kedara
Gurbani (1118-1123)
Bhagat Bani (1123-1124)
ਰਾਗੁ ਭੈਰਉ | Raag Bhairo
Gurbani (1125-1152)
Partaal (1153)
Ashtpadiyan (1153-1167)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਸੰਤੁ | Raag Basant
Gurbani (1168-1187)
Ashtpadiyan (1187-1193)
Vaar Basant (1193-1196)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਾਰਗ | Raag Saarag
Gurbani (1197-1200)
Partaal (1200-1231)
Ashtpadiyan (1232-1236)
Chhant (1236-1237)
Vaar Saarang (1237-1253)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਲਾਰ | Raag Malaar
Gurbani (1254-1293)
Partaal (1265-1273)
Ashtpadiyan (1273-1278)
Chhant (1278)
Vaar Malaar (1278-91)
Bhagat Bani (1292-93)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਾਨੜਾ | Raag Kaanraa
Gurbani (1294-96)
Partaal (1296-1318)
Ashtpadiyan (1308-1312)
Chhant (1312)
Vaar Kaanraa
Bhagat Bani (1318)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਲਿਆਨ | Raag Kalyaan
Gurbani (1319-23)
Ashtpadiyan (1323-26)
ਰਾਗੁ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ | Raag Prabhaatee
Gurbani (1327-1341)
Ashtpadiyan (1342-51)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਜਾਵੰਤੀ | Raag Jaijaiwanti
Gurbani (1352-53)
Salok | Gatha | Phunahe | Chaubole | Swayiye
Sehskritee Mahala 1
Sehskritee Mahala 5
Gaathaa Mahala 5
Phunhay Mahala 5
Chaubolae Mahala 5
Shaloks Bhagat Kabir
Shaloks Sheikh Farid
Swaiyyae Mahala 5
Swaiyyae in Praise of Gurus
Shaloks in Addition To Vaars
Shalok Ninth Mehl
Mundavanee Mehl 5
ਰਾਗ ਮਾਲਾ, Raag Maalaa
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New resources
Latest activity
Videos
New media
New comments
Library
Latest reviews
Donate
Log in
Register
What's new
New posts
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Welcome to all New Sikh Philosophy Network Forums!
Explore Sikh Sikhi Sikhism...
Sign up
Log in
Discussions
Sikh Literature
Reviews & Editorials
Sugar, Steel And The Maple Leaf: The Poems Of A Young Sikh Canadian
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Navdeep88" data-source="post: 119473" data-attributes="member: 10629"><p>SUGAR, STEEL AND THE MAPLE LEAF "The poems of a Young Sikh Canadian" is a book of poetry by Harmohanjit Singh Pandher. It is quite old (printed in 2001)... but it has only become more lovely with time. When I first found it on the poetry shelf at the library, I came home, copied out some poems and pasted them on my wall... it was a gem because it cherished everything from shabad, to the lives of the gurus, to Trudeau, to ice hockey...it was about us. </p><p></p><p>I would like to share some parts of poems from this book because not only did it celebrate the best of both worlds, but it also acknowledged the difficulties and doubts young sikh canadians face with identity. It is very dear to me so I'd like to share:</p><p></p><p>"CROWNING GLORY</p><p>Tying a turban</p><p>Is like riding a bike:</p><p>You never forget how,</p><p>But sometimes along the path,</p><p>You might just forget <em>why</em>.</p><p></p><p>When you fall off your bike, </p><p>You scrape your knee,</p><p>When you take off your turban,</p><p>You stab your soul,</p><p>But there's no bandage</p><p>For a scab on your soul.</p><p></p><p>If you fall off your bike, </p><p>You fall flat on your face,</p><p>If you take off your turban,</p><p>You fall a little bit from grace. </p><p></p><p>The day my turban returned,</p><p>I realised we never</p><p>Really parted company,</p><p>It was just parked in my heart</p><p>For a few winters</p><p>Of discontent and curiosity.</p><p></p><p>And while curiosity </p><p>May have killed the cat,</p><p>In my case- a lion's case-</p><p><em>Dissatisfaction</em> brought me </p><p>Roaring all the way back...</p><p>And then some. </p><p></p><p>The grass isn't always </p><p>Greener on the other side,</p><p>I should know,</p><p>I've walked on the other side,</p><p>And it looks diseased,</p><p>And a little bit yellow...." </p><p></p><p>"ONLY YOU</p><p>on an island of illusions</p><p>you're the only thing that's real,</p><p>as I reach for the stars at night</p><p>it's only you that I feel</p><p></p><p>in times of turmoil</p><p>you're the only thing that's calm,</p><p>whenever I least expect it</p><p>you caress my cheek with your palm</p><p></p><p>on mountains of madness</p><p>you're the only thing that's sane, </p><p>if ever I ski over the edge</p><p>only you can bring me back again</p><p></p><p>in fields of folly </p><p>you're the only thing that's right,</p><p>as I wander around in darkness</p><p>you alone show me the light</p><p></p><p>in rooms of rapture</p><p>you're the only thing I see,</p><p>no matter which door I enter</p><p>you're the only one for me." </p><p></p><p>"SIKH CANADIAN</p><p>I am neither Hindu, Muslim nor American,</p><p>I am a rather unique kind of citizen,</p><p>I am a Sikh Canadian.</p><p></p><p>I will not sink in a cesspool or a melting pot,</p><p>I do not let East and West pull me apart,</p><p>I am a Sikh Canadain.</p><p></p><p>I have a Queen and I belong to Ten True Kings,</p><p>I have two national anthems to sing,</p><p>I am a Sikh Canadian.</p><p></p><p>I share with millions a majestic middle name,</p><p>I play ice hockey, my national game,</p><p>I am a Sikh Canadian..."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Navdeep88, post: 119473, member: 10629"] SUGAR, STEEL AND THE MAPLE LEAF "The poems of a Young Sikh Canadian" is a book of poetry by Harmohanjit Singh Pandher. It is quite old (printed in 2001)... but it has only become more lovely with time. When I first found it on the poetry shelf at the library, I came home, copied out some poems and pasted them on my wall... it was a gem because it cherished everything from shabad, to the lives of the gurus, to Trudeau, to ice hockey...it was about us. I would like to share some parts of poems from this book because not only did it celebrate the best of both worlds, but it also acknowledged the difficulties and doubts young sikh canadians face with identity. It is very dear to me so I'd like to share: "CROWNING GLORY Tying a turban Is like riding a bike: You never forget how, But sometimes along the path, You might just forget [I]why[/I]. When you fall off your bike, You scrape your knee, When you take off your turban, You stab your soul, But there's no bandage For a scab on your soul. If you fall off your bike, You fall flat on your face, If you take off your turban, You fall a little bit from grace. The day my turban returned, I realised we never Really parted company, It was just parked in my heart For a few winters Of discontent and curiosity. And while curiosity May have killed the cat, In my case- a lion's case- [I]Dissatisfaction[/I] brought me Roaring all the way back... And then some. The grass isn't always Greener on the other side, I should know, I've walked on the other side, And it looks diseased, And a little bit yellow...." "ONLY YOU on an island of illusions you're the only thing that's real, as I reach for the stars at night it's only you that I feel in times of turmoil you're the only thing that's calm, whenever I least expect it you caress my cheek with your palm on mountains of madness you're the only thing that's sane, if ever I ski over the edge only you can bring me back again in fields of folly you're the only thing that's right, as I wander around in darkness you alone show me the light in rooms of rapture you're the only thing I see, no matter which door I enter you're the only one for me." "SIKH CANADIAN I am neither Hindu, Muslim nor American, I am a rather unique kind of citizen, I am a Sikh Canadian. I will not sink in a cesspool or a melting pot, I do not let East and West pull me apart, I am a Sikh Canadain. I have a Queen and I belong to Ten True Kings, I have two national anthems to sing, I am a Sikh Canadian. I share with millions a majestic middle name, I play ice hockey, my national game, I am a Sikh Canadian..." [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Discussions
Sikh Literature
Reviews & Editorials
Sugar, Steel And The Maple Leaf: The Poems Of A Young Sikh Canadian
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top