When the cell door shut behind Emilio, he knew that there was no turning back. He collapsed on the metallic bed, feeling like the Fulani bull he encountered as a ten-year-old boy, when visiting his maternal grandfather’s village. The day before its slaughter, the beast was allowed to graze and roam without restraint. On the day, however, four strong men captured the animal, spreading it … Continue reading Come Wind or Sun – Novel Excerpt
Today, Ai was late for work. It was meant to be business as usual – deadlines, spreadsheets and a few simple telephone conversations. And it would be so… if the wind didn’t frustrate her clients by delaying deliveries from France. One of them kept yelling at Ai for half an hour. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Smith. I know it’s your sofa, but our vendors cannot deliver … Continue reading Quick Novel Writing Update & Story Time
“…but she did wonder if indeed one needed ‘all that money’. And if not, what did one need to be happy?” © Monika Ribeiro 2020 In a nutshell, my novel (in the making) titled “Everywhere & Always” is about the pursuit of happiness. And, you’ll probably agree that it’s almost impossible to explore happiness without addressing money… So, I decided to throw some of my … Continue reading Novel Writing Update – Story Time
“It was one of those afternoons when the beautiful summer sun chased even zealous hermits out their four walls. All but one. Her curtains were closed all day. She didn’t notice the sun’s rays and her skin couldn’t feel its warmth…” Yes, there’s a new book in the making! The first draft is done. Yuppie! However,… Yes, there’s a however… I have a bunch of … Continue reading Everywhere & Always – A Story Waiting to be Told
A few months ago, I was featured in “Seven Questions…” – a popular column of a UK based newspaper for the Polish diaspora. The interview format was quite unusual. I was given a number of one word/two-word questions to choose from and asked to develop answers based on whatever reflections they triggered in my mind. When the interview came out I promised my English-speaking readers … Continue reading 7 Answers – Interview & Introduction
I was born, brown-skinned and a black-eyed girl, Into a blue-eyed spot in this world – Blessed with black, thick and rather frizzy hair Where hair tends to be silky, smooth, mostly blond. . When I was a girl, maybe twelve years old, I would lay my head down, on the ironing board Because a real iron could tame my real hair… Benefits seemed great… … Continue reading Made of Many Worlds – Poem
He lived among waiters. They surrounded him Waiters on the outside – a waiter within Waiters for their birthday Waiters for more money For the kids to leave home And rain to stop raining. Once upon a time, he met a wise Clock It could speak and so it spoke: “Tick-tock, tick-tock … If you teach your heart to be grateful and kind When your … Continue reading Conversations with a Clock – Poem
We spend so much time reminiscing good old and bad old days… That’s fine… It’s okay to look for motivation or lessons in days gone by. Having said that, why not spend at least the same amount of time visualizing our future… Once we’ve captured the beautiful picture of what we want to become we should lock it in our memory bank until it … Continue reading Taking Happy Mental Pictures of the New Year!
… ONE needs to pray, and do what ONE can Day after day – ONE step at a time… … Too many sorrowful tongues fall upon too many deaf ears Too many listen to voices designed for war and not peace… … Too many eyes stay widely shut, too few remain wide open Too many dreams, too many lives have now been killed & aborted. … … Continue reading One Must Do what One Can
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