My New Friend…

New poem for new year?

“Forget it,” says my snooty muse – irate and imperious. “Go ahead with your fiction and the new friend you’ve found.”

“Why are you sulking?”

“NO! I feel stifled when you write descriptive paragraphs for your new friend.”

“Why can’t a poet write a novel?” I ask 

“You are no good at that! I know you are a person of few words. For years I’ve been your mentor and now you’ve abandoned me.”

“But this is a temporary phase. This story has been waiting to burst out. Let me finish it.”

“Really? I challenge you to finish it this year. I am sure you are going to get wedged in those dark corridors. Only I know how to pull you out.”

“Now that is poor encouragement, goldy.”

“I am familiar with your dismal progress. Each time I’ve to step in to show you the light that glows at the horizon.”

“I know I am incomplete without you. I promise to be with you each morning.”

“This is no truce. I’ll choose my own time. Right now I am in an adventurous mood.”

“You’ve come home after a month. Share your stories with me.” I try to ground her.

“Ha!”she rebuffs me and bounds out. “Don’t try to humor me. I know you too well.”

My new friend embraces me and we totter forward. Hope has been my dearest buddy.

© Balroop Singh

Thank you! I am looking for some beta readers for advice about my WIP. All kind of suggestions from accomplished fiction writers are welcome.

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The Power Of #Music

Music must have been inspired from the spontaneous sounds of nature around us – the rustling of leaves, the whispering of pines, the rippling of rivers, the gurgling of waterfalls…the cooing of pigeons, the roaring of lions…

The sounds and rhythms that emanate from earth and sky, from mountains and rivers, from forests and seas must have stimulated the flow of musical notes.

First musical instrument is said to be the human voice – which can make a number of sounds like humming, whistling, clicking and singing.

“Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends.” –Alphonse de Lamartine.

I have always felt the truth of these words. Music has been my most natural refuge, my beloved book of literature; I could feel its emotive effect even as a child. I could speak to it, I could drown my sorrows in its ever-flowing strains and absorb all the wisdom from the lyrics.

It has always assuaged my lacerations, brightened my hours, added glow to my little joys and given wings to my fantasy flights. Music speaks to us, it whispers sweet melodious sounds into our ears. 

Even now, whenever I feel like dropping out of this world, I go to my favorite music. All my dreams and reflections merge into those trills floating around me and I feel at ease.

The power of music transcends beyond just entertainment:

  • It elevates our mood.
  • It educates and inspires.
  • It enhances our creativity.
  • It increases our emotional sensitivity
  • It acquaints us with rhythm and harmony.
  • It makes us happy.
  • It relaxes and calms our mind and nerves.
  • It gives solace and serenity.
  • It is a natural healer.

Music therapy has been used for times immemorial and more recently for psychiatric disorders, medical problems, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, communication disorders, interpersonal problems and aging.

It is also used to improve learning, build self-esteem and reduce stress. Even plants respond to good music and grow better.

Whether it is traditional music or modern, all age groups have felt its power since the beginning of human existence.

Which music is good music?

Though it depends on your own choice and mood but good music, to my mind, leaves an eternal effect, it becomes ‘a bliss of solitude’…we wish to return to it again and again, to experience that calming effect.

Music that is rattling and foot tapping gives momentary joy, which wears off just like the modern intoxicants.

If you meet it just for entertainment, it’s thrilling.

If you approach it for aesthetic pleasure, it’s ecstatic.

If you seek spiritual solace from it, it’s blissful.

Which kind of music do you like? I would love to hear your views.

(Pulled out from my archives)

© Balroop Singh

Thank you. 

If you like poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

Have you checked my latest release? – Slivers: Chiseled Poetry

#Welcome2021

As darkness dissipates
And the sun ushers in 2021,
Let the colors of hope sheath
All that we leave behind
And stride ahead with smiles.
© Balroop Singh

 

Many thanks to all my readers and author buddies for their lovely support. The sun of 2021 is shining brightly, reminding us that each year brings along new opportunities. Looking forward to better times ahead. – Balroop Singh.

Respect Or Love?

“He who wants a rose must respect her thorn.”

“Choose one,” the command was loud and clear.

I was confused. How could I choose one? I didn’t know love and was too young to understand respect but I was argumentative and would always rise against the commands.

“I want both.” I spoke with immense confidence.

I was pushed aside. My turn was over. 

One by one each person was given a choice and they left the arena with the group they opted for. I kept on waiting. My blood boiled at the authoritative voice of the leader who took pleasure in his arbitrary designs on us. Who gave him this power to rule over our emotions? Why are we here? 

I looked around, trying to figure out the place. How did I reach here? Strange, stern faces stared at me.

“This is your last chance to choose,” I could hear some kindness in this voice.

“But why?” Before I could speak another word, I was dragged away into a dark alley and my sobs could be heard.

*****

Some dreams keep coming back probably because some notions remain dormant in our subconscious minds. Whenever I read a disturbing book about injustice, my mind hurtles back and transports me into unimaginable lands that I could have seen in movies.

Love – the basic emotion that connects us with life and people.

Respect – the essential trait that raises man to his civilized state.

How could anyone survive without them? This question has always haunted my mind and keeps coming back whenever I see or hear about any atrocities being inflicted on fellow human beings.

Love can still be pretended but respect can’t be faked. It reveals itself through our body language. 

“I love you.” “You are my best friend.” I have heard many such refrains from people around me but I could make out from their body language and actions how selfish their love was. It changes its contours according to the situation.

Respect cannot be claimed. It shows itself, it reflects in the eyes. It is an offshoot of love.

Can you choose one? Yet there are people who have none. 

Thank you for reading and pondering. Please share your thoughts.

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