New Release – Just One Goodbye

Grief is like a perennial stream that flows unaffected, as the layers of glacier that sit within our hearts get thicker each moment. The tunnels of thawed emotions struggle to find a passage, which is often blocked by outside influence – by our own family members and friends. Their words of sympathy try to plug the bleeding holes, little knowing that some cracks are permanent; they can’t be darned. I’ve tried to give vent to my frozen feelings in these poems.

Shocked beyond words at the sudden demise of my husband, I found refuge in poetry. With a choked throat and numb lips, I sat shivering. Alone, unable to speak.

Tears flowed when I wrote these poems; they continued to flow when I read them again and again to check for any errors. Now they lurk around the rims of my eyes, the heaviness in the heart has not decreased; the emptiness in the pit of my stomach makes me shudder even now, after almost a year of being alive without him.

This journey through grief is now available for pre-order.

Here is the link: your book’s detail page* in the Kindle Store. A paperback will be available within two days.

Dear friends and blogger buddies, thank you for reading my poems though they’ve taken a turn into dark alleys but I promise to emerge from them, one day.

Balroop Singh.

#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.

Thank you for your support. Please share this post.

#TankaTuesday & #NewRelease #Poetry

This week’s challenge invitation is to explore the world of collective animal nouns. Hop over to Colleen’s site for more details about this interesting challenge.

A host of sparrows
flit and flutter in delight
courtyard is mirthful
with benefactor’s birthday –
grandma smiles with affection
© Balroop Singh

Book Blurb:

Fusion is the elixir of life. We seek it in every aspect of the cosmos. The magic of fusion manifests itself in the colors of dawn and dusk, in the melodies of nature, in the singing of birds, in the miniscule moments of joy, inspiring us to live in harmony with each other despite the edges that threaten to swallow us. 

The poems in this collection are an amalgamation of harmonies and edges that bind us firmly. We have to wade into murky waters to measure the depth. We have to risk the heights to know our worth. Slippery snow makes us learn how to create footholds. Some songs of life dilute in the hourglass of time to erase the shadows – dark or light, all the colors play an equal role to create a fusion. 

I am looking forward to your help in promoting it. Thank you for your continued support.

Balroop Singh.

#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 

 

#NewRelease by D.L.Finn #ShortStories #BlogTour

Today we are celebrating ‘In the Tree’s Shadow’ by D.L. Finn. Denise is my blogger buddy and a prolific writer who inspires through her fabulous stories. I am delighted to welcome her here, to talk about her latest book.

Thank you, Balroop, for having me visit today to share my latest release, In the Tree’s Shadow.

“Man on a Pier” came from a vivid dream during a power outage. The dream gave me many pictures to work from of an old man, a cage of dead fish, and a pier. I wrote it down as soon as I woke up so I wouldn’t forget it. 

Captain Randall walked down the pier daily with his cage of dead fish. Sasha watched him quietly, knowing speaking to him had dire consequences.

Blurb:

A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares coexist.

Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, and a young mother who has a recurring dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires, while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 and 12,000 words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.

Let me share my review:

 ‘In the Tree’s Shadow’ is a unique collection of short stories, as it offers stunning variety. Realism, fantasy and paranormal mingle into each other in this assortment that contains all flavors just like a box of chocolates. Finn’s signature style of nature in harmony with her characters and Angels waiting nearby shines throughout the book, despite the dark themes. ‘The Bonsai’ illustrates it so well. Her stories may rise above the realities of life but they speak of love, loss and kindness.

The spooky aura that she creates with her words in ‘It’s Only a Dream’ and ‘When the Lights go Out’  makes you shudder and believe that some of our darkest nightmares are real! The dream in the ‘Deadline’ is so lucid that I could feel the labored breath of Sadie on my shoulder.  Such is the magic of Finn’s style! If ‘Lyrical Dragon’ is highly imaginative, ‘The Bike’ exudes real human values. If you love short stories, you must read this collection.

Excerpt:

The lanky apparition known as Captain Randall carried a long cage full of dead fish in his arms along a wooden pier. He was dressed in brown pants and a blue shirt with brass buttons. His stringy gray hair was tied back with a strip of tanned leather, and his brown boots were scuffed and worn. He set his contraption across from where I sat on the newly painted white bench. 

Nothing would have happened that day if it hadn’t been for that man out jogging. 

The runner in gray sweats and a shiny blue fitted shirt skidded to a stop in front of Captain Randall, who looked like any other fisherman except for his dated clothes. I jumped up to stop him, but he said, “Hi, I’m Lucas, and I’m new to the area. What’s that for?”

Captain Randall smiled, exposing a mouthful of rotten teeth as he skillfully sliced open the rotting fish. “Come see, Lucas. Follow me.” He gripped the cage and jumped into the icy waters.

I grasped Lucas’s sweaty arm, shaking my head. He grinned, pushed me away, and followed the captain into the water without hesitation.

AMAZON PURCHASE LINK

FUN FINN FACTS:

1.    I checked an item off my bucket list. A humpback whale brought her baby to see us in Alaska while we were on a boat tour.

2.    I talked my husband into flying over Kauai in a helicopter. I enjoyed it—he didn’t.

Meet the Author:

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

D.L. Finn Links:

Twitter

Bookbub

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

D.L. Finn blog

Amazon Page

Thank you.