One of my favourite childhood games was one my classmates fondly termed ‘Broken Telephone.’ The game entailed passing a message to people in a line until the last person received it. The last person usually received a distorted version of the message. 

Broken Telephone may have been a childhood game, but it stresses clear communication. Distorted messages have the effect of causing misunderstandings, damaging relationships and sometimes, missed opportunities. 

Winning the game of Broken Telephone requires active listening. Speak using simple language and provide enough context for listeners to intepret situations appropriately. It may be helpful to ask what a person understands from the message given. 

Telephone lines don’t have to be broken. Enjoy these senryus. 

Broken telephone 

It cannot send out signals

One must speak clearly

Broken telephone

Simple messages sent through

Heard clearly by ear

Broken telephone 

Must speak enough of one’s mind

For understanding

Broken telephone

Must repeat the message heard

For knowledge of all

.

Have you ever thought about something as trivial as clapping? Although one of the simplest of planned or, occasionally, reflex actions, it takes many hands to resound, doesn’t it?

So it is with the concept of respect. When we feel disrespected by someone (which happens on unfortunate occasions), it means that we might have disregarded someone else.  We’ve to show each other respect in order for this notion to resound. It takes two, or more, hands to clap. 

And so, we try to practice mutual respect. It’s a delicate balance; we listen actively, empathise, agree to disagree and offer constructive feedback when necessary. Enjoy these Cinquains.

It takes

Two hands to clap

To make a roaring sound 

With pleasant resonance that charms

The heart

It takes 

Two ears to hear

To take in every need

Of the persons around who speak

Unclear

It takes 

Two hearts to meld

To hearts to be as one

And understand each other’s truths

Spoken

It takes 

Two minds to meet

Agree or disagree

But only a single mouth to say

Respect. 

We complete a multitude of tasks on behalf of others, some requiring a lifetime of effort. Of course, we wonder if recepients notice the efforts. 

The lack of gratitude can leave one feeling like a wilting flower that needs theer  water of appreciation. The truble is, those around us are often too busy for a simple “thanks for the effort.” 

But we must know that though appreciation may not be overtly expressed, they do attach value to it, and will reciprocate in due course. However, one must practice assertiveness, set boundaries and appreciate himself. 

Enjoy this little sonnet on appreciation. 

Wilting flower, so full of charm, 

Needs water of thanks that always flows

So that it will not come to harm

And that its leaves may grow

Wilting flower, petals divine 

Must help itself to stand

Must tell all that it needs to shine

For its roots to mend 

Wilting flower, so to grow, 

Must have space to shine

So that all around may know

That “the bounds around are mine”

Wilting flower, grows again with love

With fount of blessings from above. 

Have you felt overshadowed by someone? I’ll answer my rhetorical question – a large majority of us will reply in the affirmative. Whether by a sibling or a friend, being eclipsed by someone is an overwhelming, negative feeling that is difficult to deal with. 

Why? It’s difficult to voice your feelings. The feelings of guilt for wanting to speak up for yourself also hold you back, and you wonder why, and if, you’re being petty. In all, the frustration that comes with being a shadow remains. 

Everyone needs a reminder of their self-worth – there is always something that you are better at than others. This applies to everyone, so no comparisons are necessary – everyone’s strengths cancel each other out. It also helps to assert yourself, albeit gracefully, when necessary. Enjoy this acrostic. 

Ever in a dark, mishappen  form

Cornered, feeling alone

Longing to speak of weightlessness

Indistinct, consumed by worthlessness

Petty feelings of triviality do arise, but

Self-worth should overtake, no compromise

Encompass all with love and strength. 

Have you been satisfied with a discussion, only to find to your dismay that everything you’ve said has been completely misinterpreted?

This, unfortunately, happens all to often. We believe, with sincerity, that we’ve understood someone only to find that it not so, or worse, caused a monumental disaster. We’ve misaligned arrows and misdirected information. 

Hence, the crucialty of communication. Chaos can ensue if it goes awry. It’s all about how about ideas get across – we’ve to make sure listeners receive them clearly. We’ve to listen actively too, lest we misintepret them. Feedback about their understanding with pointed questions is essential, as is being adaptable – different folks understand different topics in various ways. 

Enjoy these Senryus. 

Misaligned arrows

Point us the wrong way forward

A quarrel ensues

ith 

Misaligned arrows 

Realigned when they are heard

Its head realigned

Misaligned arrows

Points sharpened with whys

Heads now realigned. 

Like many of us, I believed that a person who built boundaries around himself either emotionally or physically was simply being difficult or hostile. That is, until I experienced the need to forgive others. 

Building emotional or sometimes physical fences can be essential to the forgiveness process.  It protects oneself emotionally and even physically. It signals that, while one is maintaining self-worth while letting go of resentment. Boundaries also promote healthy relationships. By setting healthy ones (ones without negativity), one promotes healthy relationship dynamics. 

Profound? Enjoy this simple sonnet. 

Fences, built so solid, to protect

Guardians of the self and soul

High, solid and erect

Keeps away harm untold

Fences, built so solid, do cover

Allow the yard within to grow

A yard with roses and clover

So emptiness and dearth do not show

Fences, solid with space, allow

The growth of sturdy olive trees

Doves fly in, perch on their boughs,

In their beaks within, their leaves

Fences, built so solid, fortify

The soul and space, beautify. 

I woke up this morning to a constant pelt of rain that indicated my dogs couldn’t go downstairs for their morning walk. The dogs, of course, were none too happy. 

Nor was I. A planned trip to Mount Faber and a cable car ride were cancelled. Of course, disappointment arose. 

Feelings of disappointment will resonate in our lives constantly. It does us good to acknowledge them, accept the situation and focus on what we can control (for example, I decided to write a nice poem instead). And of course, we must care for ourselves too.

Enjoy these haikus. 

Very dark rain clouds

Gathering, mean, in the sky

Rain pelts on the soul

Very dark rain clouds, 

Gathering, doleful, dauntless, 

Raindrops clear and strong

Very dark rain clouds

Cannot stop mighty showers

But use umbrella

Very dark rain clouds

Avoid by taking shelter

And not getting wet. 

With life being a constant race full of distractions and instant gratification, our thoughts become knotted. Staying focused is akin to untangling a ball of yarn; making sense of messy thoughts is challenging indeed. 

Knotted thoughts have lasting, sometime unpleasant consequences. Our productivity decreases. Stress levels increase. We make poor decisions, forget crucial details, and cannot communicate clearly. 

To untangle a knotty or dishevelled ball of yarn, we’d have to know what we want to accomplish. We’d have to put away what’s causing us to lose focus on the yarn and stay aware of what we are doing. Enjoy these tankas. 

Tangled ball of yarn

Leaves on floor feathery mess

Mess that clutters brain

Unable to see ahead

Unable to speak the mind

Tangled ball of yarn

So knotted and dishevelled

Must see beyond the knots

Cut away feathery frills

Eyes are solely on the yarn

Cut knots bravely away.

The passage of untoward events can make the most hopeful person feel like a deflated balloon. When unfortunate incidents occur consecutively, a person’s source of motivation feels as if it’s missing. 

I’ve just come through one of these passages and will attest that keeping a balloon inflated is a herculean task.  Navigating negative emotions is an uphill climb. 

Keeping oneself from feeling deflated requires a clear sense of purpose. Break tasks down when feeling overwhelmed, take short breaks when you have to and, most importantly, hold yourself accountable.

Enjoy these free verses. 

Balloon

No air

Flat

Unable to

Rise

Balloon

Airless

Only rises

With influx of

Short breaths

Balloon

No air 

Only rises 

With sights on the 

Horizon

Balloon

No air

Rises only 

With one’s

Keen breath.

Life happens at a frenetic pace in this day of instant gratification. We struggle to satisfy all needs at once, and it is not easy to be discerning. Indeed, developing a keen eye for details and crucial matters is no easy task. I struggle with details. 

Having said this, a keen eye is essential. It s trust. It allows us to make effective decision and avoid heartbreaking pitfalls. 

So, how can we train a keen eye? Get it to consider details, develop awareness, seek knowledge and cultivate critical thinking. Ultimately, a keen eye also seeks the guidance of providence.

Enjoy this butterfly cinquain. 

Keen eye

Trained for nuance

Alert and all-seeing

Takes into account all around

Focused

Keen eye

Notices all with reasoned mind

Seeks to learn about all

Sees with wonder

Discerns.