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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#BookReviews #Poetry #Shortstories

This week I would like to share some wonderful books of poetry and short stories. All three books are a quick read and I really enjoyed them.

Variety is the Spice of Life by Sally Cronin

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True to its name, this book is packed with a variety of syllabic poetry, pulling at the strings of your heart with poems like ‘Face in the Mirror,’ accompanied by a beautiful picture of the poet and her mother – a reminder of her laughter and ‘The Waltz’ that captures the joy of two hearts. Cronin’s poems are short and meaningful, most of them capture vibrant colors of life. Even drought doesn’t escape her discerning eye. Robins, starlings, bees and butterflies come alive in her poems. If blossoms remind us of fleeting opportunities, bees convey a profound message of diligence and persistence.

Sally’s short stories have always been my favorite, as they bring out the best of human values. I loved ‘The Healer’ and ‘Home Help’ but the winners are the marmalade cat and robin of Miss Lloyd. Cronin’s love for furry friends shines through her stories. I highly recommend this lovely collection to readers of all genres.

Do What You Love by MJ Mallon

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‘Do What You Love’ is a little memoir that captures beautiful moments of life, giving an insight into the author’s experiences, hopes and adventures. A delightful concoction of poetry, photography and flash fiction, imagination and reality merge here to share the stories of her life in a succinct manner.

With the symbol of hibiscus flower, Marje introduces herself as a giggling and carefree child whose mentor is Lachesis – the goddess of future. How creative! It is her innovative style of writing that would capture your heart, as all three “sisters of fate” – Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos remain close to her and offer her friendly advice at each step of life.

With a pang in her heart and tears of pride in her eyes, the empty nester also shares the story of her successful daughters and is reassured by Atropos that they have to take their own path. So relatable! It is fascinating to watch the poet conversing with “sisters of fate” and the moments we cherish come alive through her poems.  

The Christmas Bird by Robbie Cheadle

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‘The Christmas Bird’ is a heart-warming story of love and compassion. Stella and her sisters are celebrating Christmas when they discover a bird’s nest that had been destroyed by their dogs. Stella gently picks up the surviving baby bird and hopes to save it despite her mom’s warning that it may die of shock. They prepare an old basket into a warm nest for the little bird, feed the bird lovingly and get attached to it. The bird seems to be a perfect Christmas gift for the girls.

This short story infuses a sense of respect toward our environment. The natural instinct of caring for all the species is highlighted in a subtle manner. Loving and letting go is also underlined, as the bird grows wings and learns to be free. Written in a simple language, it is a perfect story for children if the superfluous details of the beer making process are brushed aside.

Thank you. Happy reading!

If you like poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

Here is my latest release  Hues Of Hope 

#Spring #haiku

spring sings new tunes
colors spread exuberance
wildflowers wake up

***

we usher her in
our favorite blushing dame
scintillating spring

***

little smiles beckon
bees breeze in to celebrate 
sublime carnival

***

butterfly hovers
to embrace budding beauty
drinking with delight

***

baby pines dance
gentle caresses of wind
bestow warm welcome 

***

buds bloom with elan
oblique to catch spring light
spontaneous bow

© Balroop Singh

For more poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

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

Unknown Ties

View from my patio

Pine tree twig nudges the other –
‘Look at the golden glow’
Wind chimes in to add its melody
Both swing with abandon.

Loaded with little pines
Both bask in the glory of twilight
I watch with delight
And feel connected.

The melodies of this tree
Change everyday – 
Soft in the morning breeze
It sings louder during the day.

Bound by unknown ties
I step out each time it changes its tune
My solidarity soars with each cadence
Our relationship gets deeper.
© Balroop Singh

For more poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

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

#BookReviews

Winter days may be shorter but they prove to be a blessing when your Kindle is loaded with all genres of books. Each year, December happens to be at the top when I look at the books I’d read in a month. I have many reviews to share this month. Though I never set a “reading goal” but the books I could read last year exceeded my expectations.

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Word Weaving #1 is a unique combination of talent; it would inspire many more poets to explore all forms of poetry – haiku, tanka, haibun, etheree, shardoma and many more! Colleen Chesebro and Jules Paige encourage you to play with words to create meaningful syllabic poetry by introducing each form in the beginning of a section.

The beauty of verses by various poets shimmers like moonlight in this anthology of themed poetry. “Moon” – the favorite figure of magnificence for many poets, the haunting symbol of love is the focus of poetry in this book. “Harvest Moon” has been interpreted from fascinating perspectives – for Finn, it emits “celestial beams” reflected in the eyes of her pet while for Peach it “stitches lace” and makes “frosty hems on scarlet leaves.” There are many such images to enthrall your senses in this collection.

A must read for poetry lovers, this book is an excellent creative guide for beginners. Kudos to the editors for taking the initiative of introducing so many amazing poets in one book. I loved it.

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‘Perfectly Imperfect’ is a delightful story of a young couple that would win your heart despite their rocky romance. Rhys meets Georgina in connection with her tottering business but likes her even before he could tell her his intentions of selling her company, which has been merged with CLO due to financial troubles.

Jacquie’s brilliant character oriented plot keeps you spell-bound till Rhys works out a solution. This is a light-hearted reading but gives a deep insight into relationships that form the basis of Biggar’s stories. There is a clear indication that Rhys and Georgina are made for each other! I love the way they meet, even their misunderstandings could regale. Well-written novella.

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‘Grief Songs: Poems of Love & Remembrance’ is a lovely collection of personal pictures and tanka poems, which record the poet’s memories. Each poem complements the picture that precedes it and reminds us how loving relationships keep us connected despite the years that flee by.

Gauffreau takes you down the emotional lane, shares her personal experiences that anybody could relate to, as grief is not individualistic, it touches us in one form or another. A quick read but would really make you reflect on how each moment of life is precious. A beautiful tribute to her family!

The Kindle edition of this book is not compatible with Kindle or cloud reader but I could read it on my IPad.

Thank you.

If you like poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

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