The Narrow Gate – written by D. Sarkar 24th June 2013

The road is wide

The door opens easily

Go on through

But it won’t lead to mystery

The harsher road

The narrow gate

It takes time to pass through

And you cannot wait

Take the easy option

It uses no strength

You won’t learn much

But it’s less intense

Not a lot to gain

As you plod along

What’s the sense in that?

Life will not move on

So take up the challenge

Equipped with determination

Face the difficult road

Reach your true destination

Struggle through the gate

Even if you have to crawl

Realise the harsh reality

Pick yourself up when you fall

Growth is gained as you try

And in life that is the key

Don’t let the path defeat you

Achieve your destiny

The Light Ahead - written by D. Sarkar 12th June 2013

My body tires

As illness sets in

A battle I fight

As I want to win

I still have dreams

Things I want to do

Experiences I want to have

Wishes that haven’t come true

I know who I am

I know what I believe

I probably could do better

But I’m proud of what I’ve achieved

As I rest myself

I recall not long ago

Moments of elation

That really let me glow

My family and friends

My home and my possessions

My loves, my hates

These are all reflections

Of who I was and who I am

And who I want to be

Life is my motivation

And soon I’ll solve its mystery

My time here is not forever

And I don’t know what I will see

But I know I have to say goodbye

And I will leave my legacy

My legacy is me, a memory

Warm in the hearts of many

And as I let go, I hope they know

I’ll be with them for eternity

So as the light brightens

And the body I have fades

My spirit will be enlightened

And peace upon me will cascade

Poetic Therapy - written by D. Sarkar on 4th March 2008

Thoughts bubble and whirl

Inside my aching mind

Confusion taking over

Clarity I can't find

Thoughts of love and passion

Betrayal and beliefs

Hardships, friendships

Frustrations and relief

Whatever is the subject

Whatever is on my mind

I let thoughts and fears exchange

As answers I must find

Allowing words to spill out

Writing them all down

Arranging them into verses

Is how meaning is found

The dilemma begins to unravel

And troubles start to dissolve

The problem is diminishing

And somehow I find resolve

Poetry unlocks and opens

The depths of my very soul

Untangling the chaos

Putting me back in control

I read with sense and wisdom

Understanding is achieved

My mind is not so messy

Through my poetic therapy

The Scent of the Crushed Violet - written by D. Sarkar 8th April 2013

The social limelight

They highlight what they want

In order to control you

But I am nonchalant

I don’t know all the truths

Just their biased belief

Don’t want to get sucked in

For I’ll get no relief

Let God provide judgement              

For only God has all the facts

Knows the bad and good

And from fairness will not retract

Hatred can consume

Doing nothing for your foes

So have the strength to forgive

It will release your woes

Anger halts your progress

Forgiveness activates advancement

Grudges do not reward

So let go for your own enhancement

A Dreamer's Reality - written by D. Sarkar 12th December 2011

In my dreams

I'm far away

Safe and warm

Not worried about the day

My subconscious is unlocked

Strange scenarios unravel

Released through obscure imagery

Where is this place I have travelled?

Seeing familiar faces

In unusual situations

Such beautiful quiet

Such deep relaxation

Then an alarming sound

Is this part of my dream?

My subconscious starts to sleep

As the sunlight starts to gleam

My eyes can't quite open

Please take me back to that place

I relished where I was

But my conscience starts to race

"You need to get up

You have things to do

Jump in the shower

Have a quick brew

What will today hold?

Will it reflect my dreams?

I must go and work

I must go and achieve

I have to push myself

I have to go and gain

I must live my life

I must not live in vain"

But I am so tired

I have so many chores

I'm not yet content

I always want more

It's so very exhausting

The efforts I must make

I hope that one day

This wanting I will shake

Off I go into the World

Seeing many sights

Hearing many things

Trying to delight

And when the day is done

My head hits the pillow

I try to switch off

As my mind begins to mellow

Thinking starts to fade

My surroundings disappear

My body stills itself

As I let go of my fears

What will my dreams hold?

A content and peaceful fallacy?

Or is this emotion true?

Is this a dreamer's reality?

Facing Your Fears - Written by D. Sarkar 4th January 2007

Now is the time

To face your fears

Tear down the walls

Make barriers disappear

Find the source of pain

Open up the wound

Release all that hurt

Repair your soul & mood

Stand up & be strong

You are a conqueror

Life is a battle

"Fighter" is your moniker

In life you have one chance

To prove to the world

You can take what it gives you

Your name you will behold

And the purpose is reward

During the life you live next

All the challenges you face

Your status in heaven will reflect

So don't feel low in this world

Your battle is not in vain

After death you'll be rewarded

From every effort you put in you will gain

For God watches your every move

And knows your every thought

Try and do what's right

Learn from what you are taught

Train your mind to cope

Keep your head held high

Your future will be based

On what you do now to survive

Your Sun Will Shine - written by D. Sarkar 26th Oct 2008

Anger at the World
Pressure from others
The tears won't stop
You hide under covers

Lost and alone
Lacking any hope
So hard to find strength
Such a struggle to cope

Surrounded by people
But a wall envelopes
Panic within
Depression develops

How to release?
How to feel free?
When all you can think
Is I hate being me

But this hatred is foolish
It has no place there
For you are amazing
So please do not fear

See your true beauty
Open up your soul
This World is your oyster
And you are it's pearl

So precious and rare
Genuine and pure
You're a gift from above
Of that I am sure

So let go of your fears
Let all worries leave your mind
Embrace who you are
And your sun will shine

Reveal Your Soul - Written By D. Sarkar 26th September 2012

How to progress in yourself?

Can you allow vulnerability?

Set aside your fears

And recognise your own humility?

Walls stand in your way

What’s behind them will uplift

Trying to break them down

Can allow your pain to shift

You don’t have to hide from yourself

You don’t have to endure alone

And if you push these feelings away

The real you is not shown

So remove that mask

And reveal your soul

Deal with your fear

Take back control

Open up to someone who cares

Tell them all

But how can you trust

That they don’t want you to fall?

Perhaps if that person

Has also opened up to you

Shown their weakness

When they have stumbled too

They know what it takes to resolve

Faced fear of what you may think

They bared their souls with bravery

Because they didn't want to sink

They know when they've gone it alone

They suffer and get confused

Yes, inside are many answers

But another may have more clues

So open up to that someone

Knowing you won’t be forsaken

They could be the key to your freedom

The real you could be awakened

Reality Won't Digress - Written By D. Sarkar 2nd August 2008

Onwards upwards

Forever in our grasp

It’s now we are alive

For our needs we just ask

With life we can learn

About our desires

Look deep within

Seek what lifts you higher

Embrace who you are

Be grateful for what you have

Decipher your dreams

And use them to enhance

Hold on to a good thought

Focus on its strength

Your belief will allow

That feeling to commence

And if it is true to you

You will achieve

Your future holds no bounds

This you must believe

So think those great thoughts

And your wishes will manifest

No matter how far fetched

Reality won’t digress

Proud To Be Me - Written By D. Sarkar 9th September 2009

Proud to be me

What does this mean

Comfort in your own skin

Satisfaction deep within

You must love you

Without needing recognition

Listen to your heart

It will give you ammunition

The real you is wise

It knows you inside and out

It sees that you are beautiful

And is offended by your doubt

So any time you feel ashamed

When looking at you

Seek clarity from inside

And you'll find a better view

You are amazing

You are unique

Stop creating struggles

Stop this self defeat

Today Is Your Relief (a dedication to Love and Peace Day) - Written by D. Sarkar 28 April 2009

This is a day to make effort

To be happy that you are you

Be thankful for all that you have

Give praise where it is due

Try and focus on good

Stop yourself from a moan

Don't read bad news or tell bad tales

Be hopeful about the unknown

Have pride in all you've achieved

Be happy for others too

And show gratitude for their input

When they have assisted you

Send love to those less fortunate

Leave your bills until tomorrow

Put any problems on hold

In self pity you must not wallow

Just for one day be aware

That you are a lucky soul

Strong, loving and loved

Secure and in control

So celebrate this special occasion

With a dedication to Love and Peace

Don't worry about the future or past

For today is your relief

Que Sera Sera - written by D. Sarkar 14th March 2012

I am so worried
What am I doing?
Who am I now?
Where am I going?

Sleepless nights
Muscles are tight
Will I or won't I?
Do I have a right?

What if that happens?
What if I don't succeed?
Where is my support?
I am in need

Have I done the right thing?
Will I prevail?
What will happen?
Am I going to fail?

Questions questions
Fears and hopes
Must battle on
Must learn to cope

What will be will be
That's the way it goes
You have a destiny
The future will show

Worry wastes time
Creating negative feeling
Que sera sera
That is your dealing

So stop with the panic
And go with the flow
Make sound judgement
That is how to grow

Your heart and head guide
Your spirit is inside
Ask it for assistance
Keep your being alive

To Be An OT - Written By D. Sarkar 7th March 2012

To be an OT

What does it mean?

When others are restricted

On an OT they can lean

We all have daily tasks

We wish to complete with independence

We want to occupy our time

Doing things which bring us contentment

A bilateral amputee

Who wants to be able to walk

A victim of a stroke

Who again has to learn to talk

A youth with anxiety

Who just wants to be happy

A lady with arthritis

Wants to change her grandson’s nappy

A man with Down Syndrome

Eager to be employed

A woman with a brain injury

Who wants to study Freud

In life we all have goals

But for some they are harder to reach

Sometimes we have to learn a different way

And that’s where an OT can teach

When you struggle to achieve by yourself

And want to cross that boundary

You can learn a new way

By using Occupational Therapy

Against all the odds

Things can really be better

Have a little faith

And be a true go-getter!

Peace Profound - written by D. Sarkar 4th March 2012

It's just me alone

And my inner voice

No one else to talk to

So I have no choice

Silence surrounds

But inside is random chatter

Trying to find the truth

And the root of the matter

Should I? Shouldn't I?

Did I try?

Who was I then?

Is that a lie?

Where am I going?

Am I in control?

Why did that happen?

What is my goal?

Clarity is required

Need silence inside

Breathe in deep

Focus my mind

Thoughts come and go

But I give no attention

Except for positive hope

Those are my affirmations

Of my true desires

For who I am today

The past has passed

And the future is in play

Keep re-adjusting

Our thoughts can be improved

It's about what's coming

The future is self-approved

Now close your eyes

Use your breath to calm you down

Then look up with gratitude

And find a peace profound

Life and Times - written by D. Sarkar 20th Feb 2012

Who are we? 
Why are we here?

Are we going the right way?

Or are we held back by fear?

What is our goal?

Is everyone the same?

Generally speaking

We all hope to gain

Control of our future

Achieving desires

Learning ourselves

Reaching up higher

Understanding our past

Accepting our present

Be aware of our failures

But don’t allow descent

For me I hope to be better

For me I want to achieve

Knowing my set backs

In happiness I believe

So that is my goal

Seek guidance from within

Decipher external wisdom

Try and aim to win

Others may stay stagnant

But that is their choice

Each one of them is required

Each has their own voice

So let them be

And focus on “me”

Not to be selfish

But to set yourself free

Discover The Unknown - written by D. Sarkar 16th June 2007

Moving through your life

A past, present & future process

Changes are inevitable

How we adapt reflects our success

But how on this earth do we live?

With what are we equipped?

Life can sometimes be torture

Can we keep our soul & minds fit?

But this is what life is about

Cope with strenuous things

See how far we can go

Spread above the world our wings

Fly & be set free

Reach for the unknown

Love life, ourselves, each other

Discover & be shown

Achieve & be proud

Pass knowledge onto others

Learn from each day

Don't hide beneath your covers

You Can Stand - Written by D. Sarkar 30th November 2011

Just do what’s right.

Why must everyone fight?

Don’t attack a government

And waste all of your energy

Do you not realise

They’re meant to be the enemy

Anyone that takes away your freedom

Anyone that tries to control you

Is there to build your own integrity

So to yourself you must be true

You really are fooled

If you think they have the upper hand

Your life is what YOU make it

Please try and understand

The World is changing

And we all must keep up

Don’t fight or argue

Do keep your chin up

Now is the time

That YOU can stand

Disregard problem people

Freedom is in your hands

Keep your mind positive

Improve your emotional state

Remove unproductive feelings

Like anger and hate

The World is evolving

We are guided from above

Forget the love of power

Embrace the power of love

Easter In Italy - Written by D. Sarkar 25th April 2009

All equipped

Ready for the off

Checked my list

I'm clean and washed 

Got my passport

Got my keys

Cat is with a friend

Need to leave

Have been so excited

Counting down the weeks

But I’m a little uncertain

Where are we meant to meet?

Phone is in my suitcase

Taxi is outside

Where is it I'm going?

In 2 hours I must fly

Checklist is ticked

I've got everything

Except for a location

For where I begin

Get in the cab

Hope the driver knows

My friends will be let down

If I'm a no show

Where am I meant to be?

Trying hard I remember

An Easter break in Italy

Oh wait, we're in December!

Fairy Nuff - Written by D. Sarkar 24th April 2009

Fairy Nuff

Could not go on

She tried & tried

For very long

No one listens

No one hears

She'd screamed & yelled

For 60 years

"I cannot shout

Not anymore

They don't care

And my throat is sore

Instead I'll sleep

Peacefully doze

I'll be content

And they'll never know"

And so she slept

And shouted no more

But others could hear

So loud was her snore

They couldn't take it

And banged on her door

But her sleep was so deep

That she did ignore

They finally heard

But she had no clue

Alone in her home

If only she knew

Gobbledegook - Written by D. Sarkar 14th March 2008

Gobbledegook

Bollocks & shite

Let it spill out

With all of your might

So much crap

Tangling your brain

Insane thoughts

Worthless gain

So scream & yell

Jump up & down

Shake your system

Remove your frown

Revive yourself

Let your soul be

Squeeze out the tension

Set yourself free