Rocky Terrain

beyond-2
Sue Vincent’s #Writephoto

Rocks don’t inspire me
But hostile terrain beckons
I’ve no choice
I can’t give up my chase
If the cure lies beyond.

Thank you for the inspiration Sue. We are all on this terrain.

I have been writing poetry, deriving solace from the spring, heralding change – a brilliant reminder that nature remains untouched despite the encroachments that have been made on her beauty.

The fiery touch of Corona virus that nature has sent to show who is in command, is just the beginning of a new era for mankind who didn’t bother to heed the warnings. William Wordsworth’s prophetic lines come to my mind:

“To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.“

I’ve kept my cool by keeping my thoughts positive, by reiterating the message of the universe that nothing is permanent.

I’ve been listening to music more than the news to keep my sanity.

I come from the family of doctors and many of my dear ones are directly involved in the task of offering their services, I call them the soldiers of present times and salute all those who are fighting the monster called Covid – 19.

We shall overcome is the refrain that rings in my ears everyday.

Mother nature has been too kind, ‘we should never take anything for granted,’ we heard that phrase a thousand times but never paid any attention. We need to respect her message and her creation.

Remember, we are doing no honor to her. We are doing all this for ourselves, to save us and keep our dear ones safe.

After paying for our negligence, we would get another chance. That’s the law of nature. As a renowned urdu poet Sahir Ludhianavi wrote, “Raat bhar ka hai mehmaan andhera, kiske roke ruka hai savera…” (Translation: Darkness is just a guest of the night, who can hold back the morning?)

I have pulled out an excerpt from my debut poetry book to renew hope:

Time has stood still
The storm is yet to pass
The descent of night seems eternal
Perplexed, petrified, I wait.

Wait for a new dawn
Wait for a smooth tide
Wait for that lovely flight
Which brings hope!

© Balroop Singh

You can click here for more poetry.

Check my latest book: Moments We Love

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Tread Softly Here

blue
Sue Vincent’s #photoprompt

Tread softly here,
The velvety carpet of Mother Nature
Is waiting to welcome those
Who value her exquisite art.

Wind whispers to leaves:
“Fall gently, don’t ruin the spread
Mingle in its violet hues
To enhance ethereal beauty.”

Squirrels watch spellbound
Slowly they descend from branches
Savoring the magic of serenity
Hearing the song of spring.

What an enchanting feast
For butterflies and bees
Who dance with delight
To get intoxicated in sunlight.
© Balroop Singh

Thanks to Sue Vincent for an inspiring Thursday #writephoto Bells

You can click here for more poetry.

Check my latest book: Moments We Love

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Thank you for your support. Please share your valuable reflections, they are much appreciated.

She Watched…

wistful
Sue Vincent’s #writephoto

When morning mist allured us
And we sprinted to meet each other
To play summer games
When we were in no mood
To admire the pink sky
And sit for a while.

We, the children of the wild
No dreams could distract us
No fears touched us
Our only realm – the moor
Our only love – the games
Those were the days!

Days of ardent alacrity
When delight filled our hearts
And magic of wind was all around
When branches danced with us
Wind sang our favorite tunes
Birds watched in delight!

And now… we watch from our windows
Mother Nature has banished everyone
She doesn’t recognize even those who love her
She needs her own time, to rest
To rejuvenate
Another reminder: We live at her mercy.
© Balroop Singh March, 2020

Thanks to Sue Vincent for an inspiring Thursday #photoprompt Wistful

You can click here for more poetry.

Check my latest book: Moments We Love

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Thank you for your support. Please share your valuable reflections, they are much appreciated.

Brilliant Poetry: A Review

There was a time when I didn’t understand Haiku. I thought anybody could write those three lines, which hardly evoke any emotion till I tried to write this form and stumbled; till I came across brilliant haiku! My prejudice fell apart, as I started exploring more about this form of poetry.

The inspiration came from my blogger friend Bette A. Stevens who evoked my interest with her brilliant haiku that she keeps sharing at her blog. My Experiments with Haiku seem to fade into insignificance when I read My Maine: Haiku through the Seasons by Bette Stevens. There are some books that leave a profound impact on you, that stay with you long after you have read the last page. Bette’s new release is one such book and I would like to share my reflections about this book.

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My Maine: Haiku through the Seasons by Bette Stevens is an exhilarating journey through the seasons, brilliantly defined in the form of haiku, each one a vivid treat for lovers of nature. Bette takes us along as she walks through the breathtaking woods and vales of The Pine State. Here, spring emerges from ‘wintery boughs,’ breaking their stony silence, as birds, bees and butterflies return to lend a riotous glimmer to the landscape. We watch in delight as mother earth divests her icy mantle, blossoms smile in harmony with the clouds as they roll in to add their sparkle to them. The shimmer brightens with the rich imagery of the poet. Awestruck, I walk further to explore more of Maine!

Summer sounds come alive in these haiku and I could almost see and hear the revelry that mingles with the ‘red, white and blue hues’ – craft fairs, festivals, dinners and timeless tales evoked by ‘crispy, crunchy leaves’ are retold by Stevens in a succinct manner. Life comes full circle as ‘icy crystal robes’ return, ‘lilacs stand naked’ and the poet is enchanted by white confetti falling on white pines! Bette’s style is so captivating that one reading of this book is not enough. I have read it twice but would keep returning to this book to savor the charm that flows through it. My favorite picture is the one with a clear rainbow heralding spring. A must read!
© Balroop Singh

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You can click here for more poetry.

Have you checked my latest book release?  Moments We Love

#NewRelease – Moments We Love

Book cover and haiku
Click here to look inside

Moments of fragrant love that stand frozen in time, of dreams that dare not unfold, of passion that fleets by, of erratic joy that we meet at the crossroads of life, butterflies of time that add color to our dark moments to scare the demons away – I have gathered all of them in this book. Some of them whisper softly to create a magical aura while spring of life sings with them, trying to wipe silent tears. Mother Nature steps in with all her grandeur to breath quiet messages of tranquility.

Each poem would soothe your emotions with élan and add a dash of color to your life. Life – that doesn’t halt for your sad moments; that just floats by. You just need to dive in to soak in myriads of moments to discover how it could ignite positive tones. All the poems in this collection are imaginary but inspired from people around me, some of whom chose to share their frustrations and tremors with me. Sometimes I could read between the lines to pen my thoughts down.

Memories and moments merge here
Today when I return to share
The glow of rainbows
Embers of emotional entreaties
And smoldering debris.
©Balroop Singh     
All rights reserved.

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