Category Archives: musings

Too many complicated problems in front of me Too many variables for me to evaluate objectively The best possible decision I want to make I try to include everything that’s at stake So that with regret I would not look back Knowing I did my best, I did not slack ** A peculiar conundrum IContinue reading “Who decides?”

I shake off the remark, the subtle insinuation The display of feigned solidarity for my situation I shrug off the insult cleverly disguised Reinforce my thicker skin, as advised By well-wishers, mentors, managers, administrators To keep my sanity in a world that caters To the ego of men in power everywhere I cannot complain aboutContinue reading “Micro aggressions…”

Skimp on a step, find a shortcut again The elaborate methods cause too much pain Abbreviated phrases, vowels dropped out Are faster to type without a doubt Use the chopper, microwave, instant pot Flavor sacrificed, but the thought Of saving time occupies my mind No gourmet meals, but more time I can find To devoteContinue reading “Life in Shortcut”

Intellectually I understand That biases should have little place In my perception of the world But the reality that I face Is that biases sneak in somehow Embed themselves without a sound In the recess of my subconscious mind I know my judgment they confound Such that I, often imperceptibly End up practicing discrimination IContinue reading “Implicit Bias”

Like all of us, many hats I wear That represent issues about which I care My identity is a sum total of each one At different points in time, different facets I summon A homemaker, a mother and a physician Are my most important positions Sometimes I am in a mood creative An artistic expressionContinue reading “Which role am I in today?”

This poem was inspired by two reports I read recently (unverified)- One of a school girl ridiculed for wearing a hijab (apparently her job was yanked off and she was told her hair was beautiful, again unverified) and another of a schoolgirl disbarred from playing soccer because of hair beads (apparently the mom was notContinue reading “Hair…”

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, I have penned this poem highlighting the stigma associated with depression. How do I say that I’m not fine? I don’t want to complain, I don’t want to whine A cheerful attitude attracts vibes positive Therefore under a false facade I Iive Sometimes that facade does helpContinue reading “The Mask..”

I light the earthen lamp Inhale the deep aroma Of the sticks of incense Fold my hands in prayer Before the idol of the Goddess And with a fervor intense I pray to all the Goddesses I know, they do not ride lions But they have extra hands invisible That work and serve tirelessly UnlikeContinue reading “Pray to the Goddess”

Too many responsibilities I try to take on Finding myself running a marathon At work and home, every single day Tasks off my mental list I tick away The feeling of accomplishment is real, no doubt But slowly, gradually, I am inching towards burnout… My cup whose capacity I considered infinite Is emptied out completelyContinue reading “Fill my cup”

There was a time when I thought Being traditional was not Compatible with a progressive mind Since my worldview was more aligned With liberalism, I wanted to explore Everything new, I hungered for more Experiences to understand the world around me My culture was relegated to dormant history.. * Reinventing myself as I went onContinue reading “Tradition”

Corners, too many in my abode… Rabble of objects Hidden everywhere Unfinished projects Interrupted ideas Incompleteness everywhere Works in progress Languishing in despair Dried liquids, caked powders Chains tangled and twisted Jewelry, clothing, lying unworn Knick-knacks I’d forgotten existed Journals, some rough at the edges Pages filled with disjointed prose Some with covers pristine, lessContinue reading “Cluttered corners”

Children look up to their parents Mothers and fathers strength epitomize But my parents were new immigrants Always meek, afraid- it took me long to realize How strong they were- forced to seek asylum In a country where they knew neither language nor custom They tried to earn a living honest Stretched thin, they didContinue reading “Strength..”