Please welcome my esteemed colleague in #RaveReviewsBook Club, Balroop Singh, to Fiora Books today. Balroop is this month’s very deserving “Spotlight” Author.
How My Love For Words Led Me…
My love for words dates back to those crazy days of playing word games in school when we perused our pocket dictionaries to accomplish the challenge of finding new words and guessing the meanings. Despite those word-challenging games, my vocabulary remained so insignificant that I had to look up simple words like ‘gaunt’ to give the exact meaning to my students.
Can you believe that I have been accused of using difficult words in my poems by one of the reviewers? Can you fathom my elation at such a compliment? It is indeed a compliment for a person who has always struggled with words, who was not that blessed to be surrounded by books a child, who was always eager to borrow books from the library but had to return them half-read!
My early poetry was very simple. I had written few lines for my outgoing class:
Wish you love, wish you joy
Wish you all that you try
Guiding you was my goal
Avoiding advice was your role.
Shall I ever forget your faces!
Naughty but calm in all cases
Sometimes pleasant, sometimes killing
Sometimes obstinate, sometimes willing.
That laughter, that mirth
Those tears, those fears
All those hours that we shared
Those moments when you dared
To disagree and disobey
Always with me, they’ll stay.
© Balroop Singh, 1997
I was told that it seemed like some child had composed those lines. The snub steeled my resolve to keep writing.
I dived into the sea of emotions
Floundering around I met poetry
She smiled at my naivety
But her song soothed my nerves.
Warbling wistful notes of manumitting
Embracing her all-pervasive freedom
Effacing nonchalant, noxious attitudes
Of those who scoffed at my words
I felt an ebullient moment of accomplishment!
Undeterred, I write, keeping in mind the words of one of my favorite ghazals, written by Nida Fazli…
“Duniya jise kehte hain jadoo ka khillona hai, mil jaye to mitti hai, kho jaye to sona hai” (Urdu) – What we call this world is a mystical toy, as useless as dust if you have it but as precious as gold if you lose it. (Translated from Urdu)
The enigma of poetry through the wonder of words is thrilling beyond imagination. I keep landing in new worlds, where horizons keep widening and new mysteries keep unfolding. The quest to know more words continues with the encouragement of all of you, dear readers.
Thank you so much for dropping by to support Balroop! We hope that you will take your support even further by picking up a copy of her book. We ask that you also please ‘LIKE’ this page, leave a comment and share it on social media before leaving. To follow along with the rest of her tour, please drop by the RRBC “SPOTLIGHT” Author forum.
Would you like this kind of support? Join Us at RRBC!
Fiora Books by John Fioravanti 
This is lovely! I confess I don’t read a great deal of poetry, but I so admire the precise way in which poets use language. By comparison we fiction writers are a lazy bunch.
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Thanks for stopping by to support Balroop, Sarah. I don’t think writing fiction is less rigorous than writing poetry – although it is quite different. The poet doesn’t worry about creating believable characters, writing good dialogue, and juggling the main plot with subplots. I don’t think either form is easy.
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True.
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Balroop, thanks for those wonderful thoughts. I’m trying to stay with your blog tours, so I hope not to miss anything this month. Thanks for hosting, John. 🙂
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I totally can relate to your teacher poem. And truth be told, that poem is written for students; you want it to be easily read and understood. I loved it. I think one’s audience always needs to be considered when writing. A writer doesn’t use a vast array of multi-syllabic words when writing a children’s book. At the same time, one wouldn’t write an adult novel with just simple words and short sentences. I think it’s great that you challenge your readers, and in today’s digital society, one can click on the word and learn something new. You keep being you because you are amazing! 😉
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Thank you for sharing your thoughtful insights into writing Yvette, a writer keeps growing with each book… a wonderful journey to cherish. 🙂 Love your support.
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Wonderful words – I always keep a dictionary & thesaurus handy!
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Thanks for your support, Wendy!
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Thank you for popping in to read this post Wendy. Now dictionary is always in our hands, just a click away, thanks to technology 🙂
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Hi, Balroop. This is a great post. I’m so glad and you kept writing.
John, thank you for hosting, and for your constant support of all things #RRBC. *Hugs*
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Thanks for stopping by, Rhani!
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Thank you Rhani for your lovely words, much appreciated.
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Your fascination with words makes me smile, Balroop. I still play word games and love them. This is a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing, and thank you, John, for hosting!
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Thanks for your support, Jan!
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Thank you Jan, I am glad you are smiling at my fascination… words infuse a new life into me, each morning.
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I thought the poem sweet, lucky students. I’m glad the comment spurned you to keep writing poetry, Balroop:)
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Determination can take you to the stars Denise – that is my belief. Thanks for your support. Have a wonderful week.
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A good belief:)
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Thanks for stopping by, Denise!
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Hello, John! I’m a huge fan of Balroop’s poetry, so I am delighted with this post. I’m happy to learn a little more about her writing journey. Congratulations on being selected RRBC’s “Spotlight” Author, Balroop! Happy writing! ❤ Thanks for hosting, John.
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Happy to see you here supporting Balroop, Vashti!
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It’s my pleasure, John. 😀
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Thank you so much Vashti for your lovely words. They make my heart sing with joy. Stay blessed.
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It’s my pleasure, my friend. 🙂 Thank you.
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Vashti, I came across Balroop’s poetry for the first time when you interviewed her – probably a year ago – how time flies!
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Thanks for stopping by to support Balroop, Maretha!
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That’s wonderful, Maretha! Thanks for letting me know. 😀
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Thank you Maretha, yes time seems to have wings. 🙂
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Lovely to see Balroop here, John. She writes beautiful poetry.
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Yes, Balroop is a gifted writer. Thanks for stopping by to support her, Robbie!
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Thank you Robbie, I am delighted to hear that.
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Thank you John for hosting me and for a glowing introduction to this post. Stay blessed. I am looking forward to meeting some new friends here. 🙂
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It’s my pleasure, Balroop! Enjoy your day here!!
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