#TankaTuesday #Photoprompt #Poetry

Nurtured with soft love,
my sunflower glows with light
watch each petal sprout,
widen, thrive and radiate – 
breathing a message of life
***

Sunflower sulks now, 
has alienated herself, 
turned her face away. 
when did the winds of hubris 
blow away your faith in love?
© Balroop Singh

Thanks to Colleen and Terri for the inspiration to write syllabic poetry.

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#NewRelease by Lauren Scott #Poetry #BookReview

Today we are celebrating ‘Ever So Gently’ by Lauren Scott. A combination of free verse and syllabic poetry like haiku, tanka, etheree, shadorma etc. this is a lovely collection of poetry. I’ve already read this delightful book and enjoyed it.

In this book, Lauren Scott shares her strong link to nature, taking the reader on a tranquil walk through a redwood grove. You’ll find an invitation to sit quietly on a patio, captivated by the simple beauty of a hummingbird. She’ll entice you to revel on the shore of a freshwater lake, mesmerized by its stunning beauty.
Scott shares how love has shaped her life. From that first delicious kiss to celebrating decades of marriage through a love that deepens over time. How her heart melted when she became a mom, then ached when her children started their adult lives across country. And how her adorable canine companions found their way into her heart.
Scott underscores how life presents mysteries we struggle to solve. We can’t help but ponder the deeper meaning of a simple vision. She prompts you to reminisce and reflect on your past, present, and future. Through the ups and downs. what matters most is to love and live ever so gently.

Scott’s poetry celebrates memories and moments in her latest collection – ‘Ever So Gently.’ Her connection with the surroundings blends into the wisdom of nature that unfolds through stunning imagery like: “hear the rustle of a skittering squirrel,” “petals of velvet invite raindrops to bask in their peach enchantment,” and “breeze carries burdens down rivers.”

From the birds that ‘flit and flutter’ to build their nest to the owl who proclaims his presence with his ‘high-pitched toots’ and the hummingbirds that flutter around the “bright pink petals” – all find a place of honor in this book to delight your moods. Lauren’s realism captivates and appeals to all the senses. Some of her poems express profound love that we cherish and yearn for – she tells you how valuable that love has been in her life.

From ‘The Peach Rose’ to ‘Firestorm’ and not to forget ‘I Was Adopted,’ her poetry slides most naturally on the wide canvas of creativity. However, poems that speak of love, of growing up and bonding are the ones that touched my heart. Who can ever forget ‘The Old Afghan,’ which is most relatable!

I haven’t read a more beautiful description of sunset – “The sky explodes in tangerines, salmons, canary yellows – brighter with every second. It’s as though a painter swished her brush back and forth…”
Some more examples of Scott’s brilliant style:
“And water hasnt caressed the hills
The earth, parched like Chile’s Atacama.”
“Silk-thread drizzles dusted rooftops and parched hills.”
“How he tenderly tiptoed through the syllables.”(I could feel the poignancy of the emotion)

A combination of free verse and syllabic poetry like haiku, tanka, etheree, shadorma etc. this is a lovely collection of poetry. Read it slowly to savor each emotion. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lauren has authored two collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams(2013) and Finding a Balance (2015). In the last couple of years, she began exploring memories from her past, penning them into short memoirs. In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose. She lives in Northern California with her husband, Matthew, and their lovable canine, Copper; they have two adult children. Family has been an aspect of life she has always held dear. From her experiences over three decades: raising a family, grieving through loss, finding joy in the smallest things, and the many backpacking and camping adventures, her writing takes a magical path of its own. 

The marvelous wild world that surrounds her: the smell of the woods, the sound of a babbling brook, and the chorus of birds never disappoint in providing inspiration. Recent backpacking trips with Matthew along the California coast and Sierra Nevada have stirred up thoughts to write about love, lost friendship, family, and the possibility that anything can happen. Hikes along the Paper Mill Creek remind her that life is fragile. From trout hatchlings to swallowtail butterflies, Lauren is marveled at how the world is interconnected and that every living thing matters. She is a poet, short memoir writer, and nature lover who hopes her readers will find a little nugget of delight, comfort, or understanding in her poetry and stories – some detail that resonates with them beyond her words.

Thank you for your lovely support.
Balroop Singh.

If you like poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

Or hang out with  Hues Of Hope 

 

Ekphrastic #Poetry #Chōka

A Cup of Water and a Rose by Francisco de Zurbarán

drenched in memories 
I look at our precious cup,   
symbol of our love 
a reminder of good times 
when our love blossomed, 
hands met inadvertently 
to mold this love cup  
with design of subtle cracks
pleasures of ceramic class!
© Balroop Singh

***

exquisite platter 
embellished by a flower
and a unique cup 
waiting to welcome my love
lemony water –
a traditional way to
accept a cute dame.
eternal relationships 
are created with finesse.
© Balroop Singh

***

This week, Tanka Tuesday challenge explores Ekphrastic poetry, inspired by works of art.

I have written two chōka poems. A chōka is a nine-line poem with 5-7-5-7-5-7-5-7-7 syllable count. Thanks to Colleen and Rebecca Budd’s blog, Chasing Art for an inspiring painting. 

Thank you.

If you like poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

Or hang out with  Hues Of Hope 

 

The Thunderbird – A legend

This week’s poetry challenge is extremely interesting. Though it is a photo prompt but I must confess that I didn’t know anything about this picture. Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration to learn more while writing poetry.

The challenge is to write a syllabic poem using the photo for inspiration. “Delve deeper into the mythology behind the image,” says Colleen.

I chose to write a string of haiku.

a cultural pride 
engraved on my mystic wings
an ancient grandeur

***

stories of clans ooze
out of my cedar carvings
blessed by natives

***

my wings hold power
producing thunderous sound 
remnants of chagrin

***

I sound like thunder
when my powerful wings flap 
lightning eyes shoot ire

***

fearsome to behold
I ward off evil spirits 
but I seek heavens

© Balroop Singh

Thank you poetry lovers!

If you like poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

Or hang out with  Hues Of Hope 

#TankaTuesday: White Color

a symbol of love,
an epitome of grace,
a poised purity
of a spiritual bond
inseparable, white swans.
***

watch winter landscape – 
a breath of palpable peace 
clouds cede their power
wind tiptoes in harmony
Mother Nature is resting.
***

paradoxical
connotations of color 
that symbolizes
spiritual awareness, 
purity, death and mourning. 
© Balroop Singh

Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration to write color poetry. I chose white color, as I have already written poems focusing on orange, green, violet, silver, golden, red, green, blue

Today, the theme of each tanka is different.

Thank you poetry lovers!

If you like poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

Or hang out with  Hues Of Hope