Poetry

3rd October 2022

Time always seems to hurry by

Li-ling Ooi Poetry, Women, Writing pause, rest, sit, time 0

Time always seems to hurry by
despite my wish to pause
to simply sit and stare
to do nought all day
and hope that the clock
will never add a second more

I wonder why I feel the need
for time to wait for me
is it a reminder that I age
as seconds tick by with glee

Or perhaps it is a greater fear
of being unproductive in a world
that strives for objectives, aims and outcomes
and measures success by dollars, stuff and actions

And never by thoughts nor dreams nor intentions
no matter how valuable they may be
the wonder trove of ideas
that flow effortlessly to me

How wonderful it would be
if time could stop for me
to do nought all day
to sit and simply stare
yet despite my wish to pause
time always manages to hurry by

27 April 2021

3rd October 2022

Self-care

Li-ling Ooi Poetry, Women, Writing be kind to yourself, rest, self-care, sit down, take a break 0

I often wonder
what they mean when they say
you must practise a little
self-care each and every day

Don’t they know my days are filled
to the brim and overflowing,
with labours and duties
tasks and chores overloading

Have a sit down, take a breather,
they say with easy banter
slow down and take a break
put your feet up, just do it later

Don’t they know my days are filled
to the brim and overflowing,
with responsibilities and to-do lists
and the built up guilt of never-ending

The kitchen sink a-beckons
the floors scream out in grime
the garden needs a-tending too
no flowers in spring, oh what a crime!

Don’t they know my days are filled
to the brim and overflowing,
of things I prioritise for others
my own dreams at the closing

Yet of all the things that I must learn
the essentials of all I need to be
the one that’s most important is
the value of who I am to me.

And with each day that’s filled
to the brim and overflowing,
I learn a little more of my own true value
of the me that is ever becoming

I embrace the wonders within me
the treasure trove of quality
the joy and cheer I lug around
to help embrace and colour humanity

And with each day that’s filled
to the brim and overflowing,
I trust a little more in and of myself
paying heed to the voices from deep within

The ones that whisper secrets
of the superpowers and immense capacity
that I can conjure up with my two hands
and control a little more of my destiny

And with each day that’s filled
to the brim and overflowing,
I look around with appreciation and joy
heart full of wonder and life ready for living

1 April 2021

28th September 2022

The story that you tell yourself

Li-ling Ooi Inspiration, Poetry, Writing gentle, kind, patience, self-love, your story 0

The story that you tell yourself
is all that makes you who you are
be kind, be patient, be gentle
with all of the you that’s here
be loving, be embracing, be accepting
with all of the you that’s not

The story that you tell yourself
is entirely yours to tell
tell it the way you want it heard
the way you want to show and tell
for you deserve the very best you’ve got
and nothing less should do

The story that you tell yourself
make it sweet in every sound
you deserve the best each day
especially a self-love that is true
for the world already knows and loves,
embraces and accepts, all of you.

5 July 2019

27th September 2022

Grace for you

Li-ling Ooi Poetry, Women, Writing forgive, gentle, grace, kindness, laughter, self-love 0

There’s a certain kind of grace
That no one ever speaks about
A special type of kindness
That is never spoken of out loud

A grace that is in depth
Far beyond just superfluous words
The type that settles deep within
No wondering if there is more

The grace you show yourself
When things are hardly what they seem
When strangers kindness seem far off
And there’s only you that’s standing

Be gentle in your words
The ones you speak of to yourself
Be kind in your actions
No recipient more worthwhile

The grace we show ourselves
The gentle kindly word
Forgiveness, ease and laughter
Oh there’s so much we each deserve

Show yourself some grace
Take some kindness too
Days and seasons are hard enough
Be gentle on this precious you.

Tuesday 13 Sept 2022

26th September 2022

When my heart is heavy

Li-ling Ooi Inspiration, Poetry, Writing heart is heavy, inspiration, love, sad, sadness, self-love 0

On the days my heart is heavy
And my chest feels constricted tight
There’s not much to do, I suppose
But rest and not put up a fight

To lie back and ride the waves
As rough seas bob up and down
Just hold on tight and stay afloat
Pray for a moments calm

It does help to always remember
That highs without lows cannot exist
And every star that twinkles
Needs the darkness to surround
For we cannot experience life
Without both it’s valleys and it’s mounds

So as I wait for the clouds to clear
For the sun to shine again
I find in my secret arsenal of promise
The whole of who I am
One who is of value, of worth and stature true
I bring my gifts of talents, strengths and wonders too

So on the days when my heart feels heavy
I sit and rest a while
I remind myself, this too shall pass
I’ll soon begin again with a smile.

26 September 2022