Cloud in My Hand – A Poem

Cloud computing concept

I can feel

the storm gathering

within me, an

unexplained torrent of

emotion that has

no name or

cause. It builds

within me the

whole day, begging

for release. It

has become too

big for my

body to hold

and I watch

as white vapour

starts to slide

from my fingers.

I watch with

fear as the

tendrils of mist

start to gather

strength and substance.

They start to

form oblong shapes

within my palms

and I hold

them up to

stare at what

is becoming inside

of my grasp.

When the thunder

comes, it is

louder than should

be possible. When

the lightning snaps

along my skin,

I grow even

more frightened. I

know what this

is and try

with all my

might to pull

it back within

me, the thunder

letting out another

bellow that seems

too loud for

the size of

cloud I have

created. I focus

and the clouds

in my palms

begin to shrink.

I breathe out

a sigh of

relief when a

woman’s voice says:

“Now why are you doing that?”

I look up

and see a

woman dressed in

a long white

dress. She gestures

at the clouds

in my hands.

“What else am I supposed to do with it?”

I ask her.

She gives me

a small smile

“Why, let it out, of course. It wants

to be free.”

I shake my

head, tears running

down my cheeks.

“I’m angry all the time lately.”

I tell her.

“I’m always so angry. I just don’t know

what to do.”

She gives me

a sage and

knowing look. She

holds out one

of her hands.

“It’s okay, to be angry.”

She says softly.

“Anger can pass like a swift wind,

of a powerful storm.”

She reached out

and took one

of the clouds

from my hands.

She held it

up so that

I could see it.

“After every storm, there is

always a rainbow. You need to

let the anger go and hold

on to the rainbow instead.”

The little cloud

let out a

bang of thunder

and a tongue

of thunder. The

cloud I still

held let out

an answering rumble.

“Let the anger go, but hold onto

the rainbow of emotions,

the joy, the happiness, the hope.

Hold on to those.”

I watched as

the cloud she

held grew larger.

I nodded decisively.

“I know what I have to do.”

I let my

small cloud grow,

pouring all of

my anger and

all of my

rage into it.

It grew and

started to float

into the sky.

The cloud that

she held rose

up to join

mine and they

seemed to dance

in the sky

as they rose

higher and higher.

There was an

earth shattering boom

followed by large

tongues of lightning

that slid along

the sky. I

looked up and

watched as rain

began to fall,

small pearls of

glass that slid

over my skin,

washing away the

tears. The storm

went as quickly

as it came.

When the clouds

I had created

dissipated, a double

rainbow as if

the sky was

rejoicing and celebrating

right along with

me. I looked

for the lady

in white but

she was gone.

Where she had

been standing, I

see a small

star, made out

of crystal. It

shines in the

half light of

day as if

it is made

of rainbows. I

pick it up

and feel as

if I am holding

a piece of

the sky.

The Author’s Journey with Mony Dojeiji

In August, I was asked to be on The Author’s Journey with Mony Dojeiji. I was honured to be the on the first episode ever taped.

Though out the interview, we talked about my journey as a writer, from where I began with my writing to where I am now.

I had such a good time with Mony on The Author’s Journey! So click below and watch! I hope you enjoy watching The Author’s Journey!

We Can Become – A Poem

00a55076756c873ab2e5a2f2f0b1c111A year ago,

you asked me

to be your

Husband.

A year ago,

you gave me

your heart

and I gave you

mine when I

said yes.

A year ago,

you asked me

to build a

life with you,

to build a

pathway towards

the future.

A year ago,

when you asked me,

I could hear

music inside of

my body, playing joyously.

There was a moment

where I was sure

that I could fly.

I spent my life

looking for happy memories

within the darkness.

I have spent my life with you

creating memories that I cherish.

I carry them

within myself,

an album of polaroid’s

that I can

look at like

a flipbook. If

I flip quickly

through the photos,

looking at everything

we’ve done, I

can hear a

soft music that

fills my body

with the joy

that you bring

me, every time

I think of

You.

It’s been a

year, but it

has felt like

a day has

passed since you

asked me to

change my life

with you. I’ve

become a better

person because of

your love and

I can’t wait to

see what else

we can become

together.

The Renaissance Press Book Bash!

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Hey Everyone!

Check it out! On Sunday, September 3rd, 2017, Renaissance Press is having a Book Bash!

It’s the official launch for Lust and Lemonade and lots of other fantastic books by very talented authors!

Here’s everything you need to know:

What: The Renaissance Press Book Bash!

Where: 3 Brewers, 240 SPARKS STREET

When: Sunday September 3rd from 5pm to 7pm

Why: Why the heck not? Who can turn down a great party with lots of fabulous book?

How: There will be readings by the authors, prizes to win, and of course, the opportunity to get your books signed!

Here’s a bit about the books being launched:

Lust and Lemonade by Jamieson Wolf

In a world filled with one-night stands, glory hole blowjobs and weeklong romances, what does it take to find love? This is just what our protagonist Blaine worries about. Unlike his friends, he wants to settle down.

The Reluctant Barbarian by John Haas

Arthur Jenkins would have been happy to live his life the way it was until he finally died, but the angel in his office has different ideas. He’s there to grant a wish Arthur made as a kid, and it’s a doozy. It’s also a wish he doesn’t want in the slightest. After all, what grown man would want to be a barbarian hero? Seriously!

Whether he wants it or not, Arthur is getting that wish granted. Angels have quotas too, you know.

Join Arthur, Dead Mike and Valeria the Paladin on a quest across the land, having unwanted adventures while looking for a comfy place to sit.

Daughters of Britain by S. M. Carriere

68 ad. The Roman Empire has swallowed most of Europe. There are pockets of resistance… but nowhere, no one, is safe. Refugee. Slave. Queen. Mederei, eldest daughter of the fallen war-queen Boudicca, fled north with her sister to continue the fight for British freedom. But nowhere is safe from Rome. Now she must fight for her life for the amusement of her enemy. Soldier. Hostage. Prince. Adalbern, a proud Batavian, serving in the Roman auxiliary, lived by their rules.

But no one is safe from Rome. His people scattered and his nephew held hostage in Rome itself, he is now nothing more than a glorified prisoner. It’s life or death both in the arena and out for Mederei and Adalbern as they try to survive and save their people.

Parasomnia by Éric Desmarais

At the Aux-Anges institute, nestled in the woods outside of North Bay, they study and treat parasomnias, or sleep disorders. Ashley suffers from night terrors, Terrance sleepwalks, Kiri sleep-eats, and Paul sets fires; they are there for treatment. Adelaide took the job as a counselor to discover why she still has an imaginary friend.

When they discover the secret hideout of an old club called the Dreamers, they are shocked to find that the five of them are connected through more than just the Institute.

Some Assembly Required by Caroline Fréchette

Louis, Lily, and Laurent have been friends for most of their lives. When Lily and Laurent start dating, not only does Louis feel left behind, because of his unspoken love for Laurent, but Laurent also begins acting oddly, and it seems Louis may be in the best position to help…

So come one come all if you’re in the Ottawa area. It’ll be an awesome time. I’ll be reading from Lust and Lemonade AND giving away a totally awesome prize! What’s the prize? Well, you’ll have to come to fine out what it is!!!

See you all there!

When I Was Diagnosed/What I Didn’t Know – A Poem

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When I was diagnosed,

I thought my life was over.

What I didn’t know

was that it was just beginning.

When I was diagnosed,

I wanted to give up,

to let the darkness claim me.

What I didn’t know

was that my light would grow brighter,

shining like a beacon

for all to see.

When I was diagnosed,

I thought my battle was over,

that I would stop fighting.

What I didn’t know

was that my battle was just beginning

and I would become stronger because of it.

When I was diagnosed,

my life began again.

I crawled through the darkness,

picking up the pieces of myself

that I had forgotten were part of me.

When I was diagnosed,

I realised that there was light within me

and that I had to let it shine

if I was to truly live.

When I was diagnosed,

I learned what it truly was

to be strong and to be brave,

and what courage really was,

that I was all of these things .

When I was diagnosed,

I learned what it was

to be truly thankful,

and to realise that everything in my life

was a gift to be thankful for.

When I was diagnosed,

I thought my life was over.

What I didn’t know

was that it was just beginning…