Lily Love #chōka

Published on by balroop singh
Photo credit: Terri Webster Schrandt,

love breeze beguiled us
when we planted white lilies –
our precious flowers
in our glorious garden.
In gratitude, some
butterflies twirl, eager to 
plant vibrant kisses 
on pristine petals of love
a true commemoration 

***

that our love was both – 
tenuous and fiercely wild
ruins are beautiful! 
who said spring is eternal?
shifting sands murmur
shadows of night susurrate
water flows at will
all carry the same message:
love is just like white lilies

***

your lilies withered
when you didn’t nurture them 
the door was open
I just had to walk through it
into the wide world
rooted to icy threshold,
 in quagmire of fears,
I shudder at skepticism
that is pulling me backwards.

***
© Balroop Singh

Thanks to Colleen and Terri for the inspiration to create syllabic poetry. This week I chose to write a nine-line chōka, which has 5-7-5-7-5-7-5-7-7 syllables.

Thank you.

If you like poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

Or hang out with  Hues Of Hope 

52 thoughts on “Lily Love #chōka”

  17. I’m glad the life muse wasn’t your own, Balroop. You’ve made sadness mingle with beauty. You’ve shown such a depth of emotions and visual imagery here, “who said spring is eternal? shifting sands murmur. (they do) shadows of night susurrate, (You can almost hear them – worry about them) water flows at will (taking bites out of the sturdy bank and waring away solid rocks).” Gorgeous, delicious words!

    1. Thank you so much for reading so carefully to delve into the depth of emotions Marsha. I am delighted to hear your meaningful thoughts. Isn’t love like lilies, which need constant nurturing? I learned that very early in life from my dearest hubby of 46 years. 🤗

  19. You took us along a journey Balroop with your gorgeous poetry… The Joys of expectation.. The wonders of Love.. and the Disappointments as that love withers away… Beautifully done.. ❤

    1. Thank you Sue, I didn’t have all these aspects of love in my mind when I started writing these poems! My thoughts kept evolving and I was surprised at what was before me! 😄🤗

  20. This is quite an emotional poem, Balroop. Reading it, it felt sweet and soft at the beginning, and then delivered some realities of life. Very powerful and I think many of us can relate. I really like the line, ‘I just had to walk through it’. Sometimes you just have to keep walking and moving on through the challenging and uncertain times. Thank you for taking us along for the ride and sharing your imagination with us. Hope you are doing well 😊

    1. I am delighted that you enjoyed this ride on the wings of imagination and could feel the emotions, Mabel. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely thoughts. Nice to see you here. 🤗

  21. Pingback: Special Birthday Prompt #TankaTuesday Weekly #Poetry Challenge No. 316, 4/18/2023 – Word Craft Poetry

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