Yearnings…

First daffodil of the season.

Ready for imbolc
a sole daffodil stands tall
braving the winter
the message reaches my heart 
I wallow in self-pity
berated by the sunrise.

***

yellow buds shimmer,
hope glints at the horizon
yet shrieks are alive
the depth of winter deepens,
the throttle of night tightens
constricting my blood vessels.

***

far away from you,
winter sparrow is yearning
to fly on impulse –
an unknown destination,
the so-called heaven awaits
in the realms of fantasy.
© Balroop Singh

The challenge this week is to compose a series of Bussokusekika, (syllable count: 5-7-5-7-7-7.) which is an ancient form of waka (tanka). Also use one kigo phrase in each of your three poems. Kigo phrases for the northern hemisphere are:

  1. Imbolc or groundhog day (your choice) – 2 or 3 syllables
  2. Depth of winter – 4 syllables
  3. Winter sparrow – 4 syllables

Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration and instructions to write syllable poetry.

Winter Woes

Photo by Amy Gabbert on Pexels.com

chilly winds incise 
frozen like an icicle
I sit, sedated.
dark clouds hover like eagles
cold snowstorms pierce through my heart

***

each morning ambles
wearing wintery blanket
yearning for some light
bare branches share the secrets
I try to bury within

***

a colorless life
A garland of icicles —
juxtaposition
A beauty that hits deeper
desolation sores
© Balroop Singh

Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration to write syllabic poetry.

My kigo words this week: icicles, bare branches, cold snowstorms.

Winter Whispers

Winter in the Country, c. 1859 by George Henry Durrie, Artist from the National Gallery of Art

Winter Whispers

Dare I step out on this winter morning when all I want is to close all the doors on the soft glow of morning that is offering hope, a hope I want to reject, a hope that seems meaningless at this hour? An unknown force pulled me out of the grieving grave, whispering in my ear – I am with you; look within; my love will forever guide you out of this darkness. I stumbled out.

snowy path ahead
new beginnings beckoning
despite the cold clouds

Stony eyed, I turn back and look at the cottage that was full of life once. Withering winds of wet winter could never deter our pleasure of enjoying long walks – togetherness that was the envy of many.

winter moon beaming
unaware of dismal songs
reverberating 

© Balroop Singh

Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration to write syllabic poetry.

The challenge this week is: you choose the form, and you choose the past season, and the winter kigo words or use the piece of art above, as an inspiration. You must use at least one kigo word in your poem. Remember, if you write a haibun or a haiku, the kigo word is required in the haiku.

Kigo word used:  new beginnings, cold clouds, winter moon.

#Snowstorm

Image by Clay LeConey from Unsplash

Snowstorm

An endless walk into snowy sadness – the serene landscape of winter, breathing bubbles of loneliness that threatens to last forever. I gape at the beauty, wrapped in a deceitful cloak of hope that is phony. Frozen tears sheathe my vision; I can’t see beyond winter snow. Burying my face in the scarf, I wander in this desolation, shivering.

shrouded in cold clouds
I stand, without a foothold
snowstorm rages within
© Balroop Singh

Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration to write syllabic poetry. The challenge is to compose a haibun, with at least one haiku, using a Kigo word.

Kigo words that I chose for this challenge: cold clouds.

Dark #Winter

Pixaby image

Dark, windy winter
hisses like venomous viper
cold light casts shadows 

***

cold clouds dominate
pine needles flutter fiercely 
birds snuggle and hide

***

snowdrops hang on trees
fog envelops the valley
darkness draws nearer

***

sun has been eclipsed
Mother Nature shares sadness
mist hovers mutely
© Balroop Singh

Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration to write syllabic poetry.

Kigo words that I chose for this challenge: cold light, cold clouds, snowdrops.