#BookReview: Subject A36

Some books leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind. Recently I happened to read another such book and therefore have to share my review here too.

Subject A36 by Teri Polen is a brilliant take on futuristic experiments that could allure many ambitious scientists who live in their self-created bubble of plucking everything from nature to manipulate it for the mighty and the rich. It is harrowing to imagine that “The Colony” kidnaps children to strip them of their coveted genes to create “perfect humans” for those who could pay the price!

This book engages you from page one and keeps you on the edge of your chair to read – what next? I couldn’t put it down and each time it revealed something new, I muttered wow! Written in a simple but eloquent style, Polen doesn’t waste a word in unnecessary descriptions; she focuses on the story and the outcome of action. 

“Harvesting” – a shuddering term in connection with human beings but it lies at the center of this book, which gets darker as it proceeds.

Despite its theme, this book draws its strength from the emotional aspect of the story, which keeps you assured with the conviction that goodness can never be rooted out; there would always be kind people like Brynn, Noah and Paige. Love would remain the ultimate conquering force. It’s the love of Asher and Brynn, the friendship and benevolence of Asher, Noah and his team, the goodness of Garrett Solomon that shines in the abyss of darkness. I detest “The Colony” and there lies the success of Polen in crafting the perfect villains that live in it. I am eagerly looking forward to its sequel.

I’ve given it glowing 5 stars.

Thank you for reading.

If you like poetry, please check my latest book: Magical Whispers

I Am Always Around…

HOPE

On the first day of the New Year, I stepped out to see the change. Same sky, cloudless. No traces of much needed rain. Same sounds of cars whizzing past. Muffled faces. And then I saw him in the corner – HOPE! All bundled up, still shivering! I looked at him with expectant eyes.

“Procrastinator! Are you illusionary?” I sneered at him.
He spoke to me:

“I know you love me
I know you hinge on me
When you tread on darker paths
I know I inspire you.”

“And you take pleasure in elusive tricks?”

“ I have my constraints
I float on the tide of time
I possess no magic wand
I hold a mirror to your ways.

“Sometimes I get caught
In the currents of cacophony
Discords and disharmonies
Pull me down, make me dormant.”

“And so you walk out?”

“I am always around
I whisper through the breeze
I glisten in your heart
I blend in your prayers.

“I absorb all words, perceptions and actions
My strings are stronger than faith
Those who hang on get rewarded
But your own role matters most.
© Balroop Singh

Thank you for reading. Looking forward to new changes in 2021 that usher in new hope.

If you like poetry, please check my latest book: Magical Whispers

Pick up your copy at Amazon. 

 

#Welcome2021

As darkness dissipates
And the sun ushers in 2021,
Let the colors of hope sheath
All that we leave behind
And stride ahead with smiles.
© Balroop Singh

 

Many thanks to all my readers and author buddies for their lovely support. The sun of 2021 is shining brightly, reminding us that each year brings along new opportunities. Looking forward to better times ahead. – Balroop Singh.

Happy Holidays

A cerulean fairy is beckoning me
Near the waterfall,
Beyond the snowy peaks,
Above the silvery clouds
I am entranced by her fragrance.

She is taking me to an idyllic land
Where smiles are not hidden
Behind the masks.
A land luminous with buoyancy,
Nothing less than Elysium. 

She illuminates my conviction
Her light calms all worries,
Picks all the splinters
Invisible hope shimmers around her
With unwrap-able gifts.

I’ll be back with that hope.
Leaving behind the monsters of 2020
I am flying with the holiday fairy
If you want to join us
Just look at the horizon and smile.
©Balroop Singh, 2020

Wishing you a warm and safe holiday season. Happy reading!

If you like poetry, Check my latest book: Magical Whispers

Pick up your copy at Amazon. 

Respect Or Love?

“He who wants a rose must respect her thorn.”

“Choose one,” the command was loud and clear.

I was confused. How could I choose one? I didn’t know love and was too young to understand respect but I was argumentative and would always rise against the commands.

“I want both.” I spoke with immense confidence.

I was pushed aside. My turn was over. 

One by one each person was given a choice and they left the arena with the group they opted for. I kept on waiting. My blood boiled at the authoritative voice of the leader who took pleasure in his arbitrary designs on us. Who gave him this power to rule over our emotions? Why are we here? 

I looked around, trying to figure out the place. How did I reach here? Strange, stern faces stared at me.

“This is your last chance to choose,” I could hear some kindness in this voice.

“But why?” Before I could speak another word, I was dragged away into a dark alley and my sobs could be heard.

*****

Some dreams keep coming back probably because some notions remain dormant in our subconscious minds. Whenever I read a disturbing book about injustice, my mind hurtles back and transports me into unimaginable lands that I could have seen in movies.

Love – the basic emotion that connects us with life and people.

Respect – the essential trait that raises man to his civilized state.

How could anyone survive without them? This question has always haunted my mind and keeps coming back whenever I see or hear about any atrocities being inflicted on fellow human beings.

Love can still be pretended but respect can’t be faked. It reveals itself through our body language. 

“I love you.” “You are my best friend.” I have heard many such refrains from people around me but I could make out from their body language and actions how selfish their love was. It changes its contours according to the situation.

Respect cannot be claimed. It shows itself, it reflects in the eyes. It is an offshoot of love.

Can you choose one? Yet there are people who have none. 

Thank you for reading and pondering. Please share your thoughts.

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