My Life in Verse

By Dr Kalantar

I begin this book in the name of the creator of all God Almighty, the king of the skies and the earth and everything in between

The bird of compassion loves the song of life from the friend and it will fly one night in the garden of purity

My father named me Hassan as good character is inherited and woven into every clean particle of my body from my ancestors

My family name is Kalantar, as my forefathers many generations ago were the leaders of the historical city of Shushtar

In a beautiful garden that I call my home now there is a city called Tehran which indeed is a glamorous city

Here, with my hand will be writing with an ecstatic feeling a story from Kalantar and Kalantar’s descendants

The decedents, boy or girl who will be the remnants and the results of my lifetime legacy

I was born in 1306, and became the son of Haj Syed Taqi who was a pious and free spirited man

My city of birth, Khorramshahr , was a beautiful city with a free port with good and honest people

After few years I began my education in primary school in a school called Sherafat with kindness and utmost care

From the beginning I was a top student, with perfect scores recorded in my report card

From Shahpur High school, I moved from my birthplace to Ahvaz to continue my education

And following that I continued my education in Tehran University and finished my degree in medicine

In 1330 (age 24) I finished my studies and graduated as a top student in the city

Hence I pursued specialist training In America and for the I found paediatric medicine my area of interest

I was dearest Dr Gharib, exemplary student (Mohammad Gharib (5 July 1909 - 20 January 1975) was an Iranian physician, clinician, distinguished university professor and a pioneer of pediatrics in Iran. Gharib is known as the Father of Pediatrics in Iran. He was a graduate of Paris University Medical School.)

Being this great man’s student made my name in the world of medicine popular and uplifted my career

I returned home in 1333 to serve my country with pride

In 1336 with happiness my marriage was written in the book of love and loyalty

And what a partner! A woman of high value, dear and modest and the symbol of grace and greatness, the queen of the garden of women

Her sweet name was Marzieh Nejabat Mousavai, who was the best woman with God’s grace

The name of Parvin (Pleiades in Farsi and a girl’s name) was chosen for my wife, as like Pleiades and the moon she came from the sky

Within the space of my soul it all belongs to her, and in my heart, there is a reflection of her beautiful face

Whatever I had and have is from my dearest Parvin; my humble, honest, loyal and beautiful wife

In our second year of marriage our beautiful Mojgan opened her eyes to this world, and became the light of our eyes

37 years after 1300 she graced our hearts with her presence

In the year 1339, joy came to our life with Jamshid, and the sun light up the sky

Then came with happy songs and dance in the world of love, being the face of Javid

Praise to the Lord, in 1353 a tuberose flower blossomed in our garden, beautiful daughter, my last companion and my pure love, like a pearl, with the name of Marjan with a soft and delicate manner

In 1359 in our city came a thunder from the war and many calamities that was followed after that

Came Sadam with many troubles from Iraq with an unimaginable misery

Our city was ruined and people had to live their homes, and I wonder when did it become such cruelty acceptable in humanity

People’s homes were destroyed and the city turned into ruins and nothing was left of that city

The flood of adversity and destruction attacked the city such that its impact has yet to be mitigated after so many years

Bombs bullet and mortar caused massive destruction of everything from homes in Seef, Darvazeh, Koot and Safa suburbs (suburbs in Khorramshahr)

I moved to Tehran, I was relying on God and let my fate (ship without a captain) being guided by him

And thanks to God that from my luck and purity of my heart I found everything again that I had to leave behind

I found a home and opened my practice again and the flower of happiness once again blossomed on our lips and life became like Nowruz (a new day)

My job once again became serving the people, friend of kids and orphans and helper of destitute

All the children, once saplings, that I cared for have now grown into beautiful strapping trees

Every prayer that each family did for me (for treating their children) has turned from a sapling to a big tree (each of his good actions has brought him much blessing over the years)

And for me this has been the biggest reward that I have received from God in my 75 years of life

My 12 flowers in the garden of love have brought happiness for me, flower buds that I have received through my fate

From now on I will be thanking the universe every day for all these blessings

I have returned with pride, world of experience, treating all my patients with compassion

In my eyes there was no difference between the rich and the poor and they were both equal to me

My hand was the message of hope on my patients head, and for that I have received many prayers in generations

And now I’m like a bird that’s impatient to see his loved one and wants to fly to him

I have come to Mojgan where there is a family celebration; this puts a sprightly smile on my face

I’m reassured because of our four dear children and a caring and loyal wife

They have made my life sweet in every moment of my life

A garden with four flowers and their mother who is better than any flower, and I have them next to me now

I go to Parvis, Mojgan, Lili and my Nina; the kind and energetic Daniel,

I go to Jamshid, Jahan and Sameh with excitement, and for visiting noble Nejabat family ( Prof Nejabat is his brother-in-law, close friend and confidant)

The beautiful Sameh carrying a precious load (was pregnant with Jooya at the time) has arrived with the fruit of their love to us

I go to Mona, Javid and Nilofar and seeing my flower Hanna was ecstatic

I go to Maryam, my soul and heart, and to my pearl Marjan a new flower with lots of life and love, my last child

I leave all of them in the safety of Ahlul-Bait (Prophet’s household who are also known as the 12 people) , and I hope God protects all my 12 flowers

These are some of my lifetime memories that I told you, in happy words and rhythm

To promote my legacy after a lifetime of experience, my spirit is now going to give you some advice

Each and every one of you will be successful in their job if they have a logical mind and problem solving brain

If you drift apart it would be wrong for you, it is better to be together and become one voice

Five fingers have come together to support each other in this world and guide each other, even though they are their own individual

With each patient I constructed a statue of kindness Mehr (Mehr means kindness and also name of his hospital in Khorramshahr) and I want you to follow my path like that

Like me serve the mankind with a heart full of kindness and sincerity

The year of 1381 is a great year, and we have gathered the family together these days

Unity is the key to happiness of the heart, and this is something that I have seen myself many times

Oh Kalantar! You have delivered your message to everyone and have made a family content with yourself through message of camaraderie and love

First of January 2003