Khaya Ronkainen

1. Most times I shroud my poems in mystery or hide behind the metaphor, and leave the “about” of the poem for the reader to interpret as they wish. Not this time, though. I’ve put all my cards on the table. A rather bold move, I’ll admit.
2. Intense.
3. Writing this book has felt like putting my heart on the platter to be severed.
4. Whoever said “do what scares you” was absolutely bonkers! For, now, I have stepped on people’s toes…
5. Frankly, I’m tired of fighting silent battles.
6. People often ask if I plan to write a memoir some day. The answer is this: I doubt that I’ll ever write a straightforward and book-length prose memoir. Poetry is an art form that allows me to go where it hurts.
7. ‘The Sheltering’ is close as it gets in capturing my inner and outer world, right now.
8. This book is not a happy pill. I suck at writing inspirational poetry, so I don’t even try. But then again, poetry is not about making people feel better but to name the nameless.
9. Grief.
10. Grief changes face every day. One day, an ode celebrating the miracle that is life. The next, an elegy lamenting the loss.
11. We all are grieving something… or tell me now, if you are not! There’s a dare.
12. But careful, my heart is still in your hands.
13. THANK YOU to each and everyone of you, who read this blog and support my humble writings, for not letting me write I alone. ♥

PS. Photo by Fallon Michael on Unsplash