Author Archives: Docpoet

This poem is inspired by an interview of Indra Nooyi (former CEO PepsiCo) who candidly reflects upon balancing personal and professional life. If I told you I could do it all it would be an outrageous lie To excel at my career and motherhood simultaneously, I would not dare try Each day is a balancingContinue reading “Can’t have it all!”

She had cooked a delectable dinner, she was famished And looked forward to helping herself to some of it Once the family was done with dinner-but of course There was nothing left for her, she had to force Herself to eat stale bread and butter once again Her family appreciated her cooking, and that diminishedContinue reading “I care for myself, I care for you”

Work often seems like a noose If given a chance I would choose To take more time off, other interests explore Or so I tell myself- I would be more Well-rounded, less stressed and happier of course If only I did not have to force Myself to get out of bed and go to workContinue reading “Best at my work”

A support group provides an opportunity for people to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, or firsthand information about a disease and its treatments. For many people, a health-related support group fills the crucial gap between medical treatment and the need for emotional support. When I first got diagnosed, I was just afraid AsContinue reading “Support Group”

(And a view from my window) Can I just sit and stare into nothingness Not think of everything I need to do, not obsess Over time that seems to run out of my hands Leaving me bewildered, trying to understand How the hours that plentiful appeared Have dwindled down, how time has disappeared Without myContinue reading “Quietude”

I must admit that I am partial to books written by physicians (reading an exceptional one at the moment). I also remember coming across advice from a surgeon-writer Atul Gawande suggesting that all doctors should try to write. Many of us hear stories for a living While providing a service, we listen to misgivings Misfortunes,Continue reading “The Physician Writer”

One of the worst things about using electronic medical record for patients is the pop-up notifications that you get constantly get. Based on a patient’s BMI, one may get an alert that the pt is obese/ morbidly obese, because all health care providers must document this diagnosis in their notes. I feel it is completelyContinue reading “The Dreaded BMI”

I know there is baggage that lies Underneath the surface, I have seen it in eyes That glance away furtively when difficult questions are posed I have seen smiles disappear, open demeanors close There are secrets that hidden remain In dark corners, like faded stains Secrets from the past that if revealed Can break relationshipsContinue reading “Secrets under the rug”

Often women and marginalized sections of the society do face significant barriers at work because of who they are, but sometimes its their own beliefs (due to societal conditioning) that may limit them.. The times are changing rapidly, therefore We must break away from what limited us before We are products of the society inContinue reading “Barriers in my mind..”

Some people always seem to know what to say I’d love to discover their secrets some day To put my foot in mouth I am inclined Somehow my reasonably sharp mind Does not appear to be as bright When tasked with choosing words right So often what I intend as witty repartee Ends up soundingContinue reading “The right thing to say..”

There is so much negativity in the news It rubs off on me, therefore I must choose Ignorance over awareness now In a hyperconnected world, I guess I can allow Myself to sometimes hide under a rock News of doom and gloom purposefully block.. * Gone are the days when I felt I was requiredContinue reading “I choose.. no news”

I’ve got to go to work everyday I’ve got to face challenges along the way I’ve got to listen to my patients’ concerns Their confidence in my abilities, I’ve got to earn New skills in my field of practice I’ve got to learn Sometimes the midnight oil I’ve got to burn When my profession demandsContinue reading “I get to work”