If you are warm and loved this winter
If you can watch the gray sky
From your French windows
Or see the snow falling softly
If you can shut that cold out
Yet watch and enjoy it
With that fireplace glowing
And spreading radiant joy
If you have a loved one to hug you
With music of your choice
Yours is the day and this world
Full of Christmas cheer!
© Balroop Singh
Wishing all my readers Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a wonderful 2018.
It may have snowed last night
But I would walk out to meet you
The pebbly path may be slippery
But I can find the footholds to reach you
My snow boots may be old
But they would carry me along
It may be warm here
But I can carry it in my sedulous song
Your heart may be cold
But I would ignite it with the fire
That burns bright within us
The flames that you always admire
The sun may be hidden
But it would shine brighter to thaw
The coldness in and out
Our love can never withdraw
Never at the threat of intruders
Who try to alienate ardent lovers
Who try to accentuate acrimony
In the name of cultural covers.
© Balroop Singh
Inspired from Sue Vincent’s #photoprompt Thaw. Thanks dear friend.
Thank you for reading this. Please share your valuable reflections, they are much appreciated.
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If you love poetry, click on the images to read more:
Draped by a fearless felicity
That defines my ebullient spirit
I could tread treacherous trails
Eager to take in the gales.
Each new path beckons me
Promising joy and thrill
Of adding another folio
To the cryptic book of life.
Pages that stand out are self-written
They smile and glow with our ventures
Infusing delight all around for self-quenchers.
© Balroop Singh, Nov. 2017
The Palm Islands of Dubai, considered to be the 8th wonder of the world is one of the most popular destinations to explore. An eloquent example of superb engineering and affluence, The Palm Islands are man-made marvels, created in the Persian Gulf to expand Dubai’s coastline. They are shaped like a palm tree and their shape can only be seen from an elevated place.
We didn’t take the long route of going to the Palm Gateway Monorail Station to take the Monorail upto the top, to view the major landmarks like themed hotels, Aquaventure Waterpark, Dolphin Bay and the Aquarium because the real thrill lies in viewing the magnificence of man-made palm shape, which cannot be seen from the surface.
After much research and review reading, I came across The Observatory Bar and Grill, which is situated on the 52nd floor of Marriott Harbour Hotel. My excitement doubled to know that this restaurant offers panoramic views of The Palm Jumeriah and Dubai Marina along with delectable food.
We booked our table for lunch well in advance to be greeted with smiles and were ushered into the magnificient lobby divided into three segments. Most of the tables were laid by the massive windows through which we could look down at the astounding azure landscape, dominated by palm shape, created by incredible planning of master minds.
An amateur photographer in me was too excited to take as many shots as possible but none of them could capture the whole shape of the so called islands. We couldn’t take our eyes off the serene scenario while we enjoyed the drinks of our choice. Delicious food added an extra zing to my senses! We carried another string of unforgettable memories, shimmering in our souls.
Thank you for reading this experience, special in many ways.
You can read more interesting facts about Palm Islands.
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Balroop Singh.
Some moments of joy come uninvited.
Some moments become memorable
Just because we let them be,
Without any expectations.
They never disappoint!
I have never made an effort to watch sunrise except once, which I had shared in an earlier post but watching it from the top of world’s tallest tower seemed special. It was spectacular and exhilarating!
A visit to Burj Khalifa (Dubai) was never on my bucket list. It just got planned at the last moment of our annual visit to India as we were flying Emirates. We thought that a hotel just opposite this Burj would be an ideal place to stay and we chose a room with a view.
Then I stumbled across a promotional offer of watching sunrise from the 124th floor of this iconic tallest structure in the world. I booked the tickets a week before we started our trip, keeping in view the long queues that you have to deal with.
We woke up very early to keep our rendezvous with the sun. Jet lag helped us too! Since we were staying in a hotel opposite Burj Khalifa, we could just walk across the road to reach the entry point, which is through The Dubai Mall and you have to walk almost a mile to reach the ticket counter from where the online voucher is converted into a ticket.
A musical climb up the elevator within seconds was a memorable experience worth mentioning. This is the best time to watch the city from the top of Burj Khalifa as a beautiful skyline greets you from the terrace.
We spent almost an hour, waiting for the splendor of the sun to spread across the sky…an experience of a life time! Each moment has gone down the memory lane, glowing gorgeously orange. I was elated at the choice I had made.
Most of the reviews suggested that the evening time is more appropriate to go up but it gets very crowded at that time.
I didn’t expect another thrill, which I could watch from the window of my room – the sunset! Just look at the image that I clicked:
Could I ask for more in a single day? I heart was overflowing with gratitude for my daughter who had suggested the hotel to us.
Thank you for reading one of the memorable experiences I had recently. I have many more to share.
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Balroop Singh.
I am delighted to share my blogger friend Cathleen’s wonderful review of my poetry book ‘ Emerging From Shadows.’ I would like to express gratitude for her in-depth analysis of emotions that dominate the poems in this book and the quote she has picked up truly defines the theme that runs through the book.
Emerging from Shadows is no callow compilation of a lovestruck young adult’s first sonnets. Rather, it’s the reflections of an emotionally mature writer who has faced life’s stings with a determination to grow from them in an honest and healthy way.
This is a verse from my favorite poem in the collection, Sound that Resounds.
“I can no longer remain insignificant
Your harrowing hauteur is oppressive
Forgive me for finding my own avenues
My gratitude goes to my spirit.”
It’s an excellent read for anyone recovering from emotional trauma, especially those who would rather eschew bitterness, and instead be at peace with how they respond to life’s trials.
