Author Archives: Docpoet

(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”

There are times when I simply let it go Let someone steal my thunder, and throw Everything I have worked hard for under the bus I don’t want to be perceived as creating a fuss By asking for credit, I just hope some day Karma would let due recognition come my way… * There areContinue reading “My thunder shall not be stolen..”

Between stimulus and response there is a space I must pause for reflection in that place Before an appropriate response I formulate Instead of regretting my knee-jerk reaction too late.. * There is always a pause, albeit small That can be used to think, to stall A response after a stimulus reaches you It isContinue reading “The Space”

I fail when I desperately want to succeed I fail when success I sorely need I fail, and the failure cuts like a knife I fail, and get up reluctantly, because that is life.. * Sometimes my self-worth I end up tying To a narrow definition of success- despite trying When I do not succeed,Continue reading “Success I need”

(Inspired by catherinechengmd.com) With immense gratitude I end today It was a perfect day, I must say! * The first question is how I would define A perfect day- nothing happened to blow mind But the day was smooth, the hundred little moments In which things could go wrong did not present Any obstacles, forContinue reading “A perfect day”