Columnists
Coming of Age
A Poem by MICHELE GIBSON
For Harjaap Singh, on the occasion of his Dastar Saajni, October 3, 2009
COMING OF AGE
Over the years
My prayers have changed
My dreams have grown
My goals have become reality
My strengths reveal the best of me
I have confirmed what I can do
Over the years
I have sought counsel
I have learned wisdom
I have listened as others interpreted my view
I have my own opinions
My own expectations, they are the culmination
Of my faith and my interpretation
Of the world I am committed to
On this day
All that came before
Enhances all that I will gain
From this point forth I take the name
‘Sardar'
The Patka falls away
The lion crowns the day
The man, the prince, the chief
With the Guru Granth Sahib to light my path
The Dastaar, the apogee of my belief
Conversation about this article
1: I.J. Singh (New York, U.S.A.), October 04, 2009, 12:56 PM.
A beautiful tribute to young Harjaap Singh that he will surely treasure. Our journey through life is measured by steps that become rites of passage. For a Sikh, the turban connects him to meaning, majesty, history and tradition. Welcome, Harjaap, to living history.
2: Ravinder Singh (Birmingham, U.K.), October 04, 2009, 3:42 PM.
Such a lovely ceremony. Every child, male and female, should be given such a welcome into adulthood. Thank you for describing it so beautifully!
3: Irvinder Singh Babra (Brantford, Ontario, Canada), October 05, 2009, 10:29 PM.
Hi beta, hope you will keep your dastaar forever. Congratulations. Such ceremonies should happen more everywhere. Love and best regards.
4: Bethany (Nottingham, U.K. ), November 11, 2009, 9:41 AM.
Excellent article!