the crush just came back from Thailand; my phone is flooded with pictures, videos, and moments she shared with beautiful people who are more concerned with nature, clean eating, and knowing their history.
I ask her, “Do you feel changed now that you’ve gotten out of this country for a while, and breathed in the fresh air of another?”
there’s silence, instead more pictures and videos are shared with me, and that’s all the answer I need.
moguls get away with everything
when you’re a mogul, the time never fits the crime. money and influence can form gangs of blackmail, and people in positions of judicial power will crack.
it’s a game; players learn their place or find out how useless they are.
no one knows the definition of loyalty anymore and oaths are laughable at best.
and they wonder why silence is preferable when the body has been defamed.
people in power hear the stories, but they don’t listen.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-BookandPaperback) yet?
I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak aboutthe most recent events with a previous place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination, growth from the transition after resigning from that company, and life’s foibles and overall experiences. I welcome your visit.
I’m certain it’d be ten times harder to deal with the loss of Jernee
Zumi Tye: Sunday Morning Antics Part I
I got Zumi Tye just a little under one month before Jernee Timid’s sixteenth birthday last year. I had wanted an aquatic turtle, and upon my search to attain one, I was unsuccessful.
They’re harder to purchase as a pet you intend to domesticate because of various laws. I went to four different locations, and at the final location, which was the Reptile Zoo and Pet Center, the owner and pet handler schooled me on land-based tortoises, instead, and I fell in love with the idea of having a land-based tortoise instead of an aquatic turtle.
I fervently believe that if I did not have Zumi Tye during this time, it would be ten times harder for me to adjust to life without Jernee.
I still have something to care for, something to receive all this shackled-up love, and something to grow with me. It’s a beautiful feeling to know that all is not lost, and ZuZu needs me just as much as I need it. I believe God does what He does before we see the end result. He knows what we need before we need it. And with this little reptile of mine, I’m never sad for an entire day.
It absolutely will not let me wallow, and maybe that’s a little bit of Jernee shining through, too.
Zumi Tye: Sunday Morning Antics Part II
I miss my sweet and fierce girl, but there’s still NEVER a dull moment in our home.
Happy Sunday, beautiful people. May you share the shackled-up love you have inside you with someone or something today.
Peace and blessings.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?
I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak aboutthe most recent events with a previous place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination, growth from the transition after resigning from that company, and life’s foibles and overall experiences. I welcome your visit.
a stranger cupped my hand in hers at the curb of the crosswalk, and looked at me pleadingly.
I am funny about touch if I don’t know you, and sometimes even when I do, but I knew something was wrong when I saw her eyes dancing like they were running away from terror.
I tilted my head and leaned into her personal space and smelled fear. caution warned me not to turn around, so I didn’t, but I could hear him breathing.
a cop–woman, stood by her cruiser a block away, and sitting shotgun was her partner. I looked at her, raising my tethered hand, and then looked at the silent woman, and the cop knew.
the man started running as soon as their eyes locked. the silent woman sat in the backseat, and closed the cruiser’s door.
I walked two blocks home, dangling my hand at my side, twiddling my fingers, feeling the lonesome lack of the woman’s grip.
I prayed for her safety as my pulse quickened.
This was my dream from last night. I hope it isn’t a premonition or a vision into what will happen.
The Setup for reading and relaxing. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I have been reading books for an extremely long time; I started when I was at least three or four years old. Dr. Seuss’ books lined my childhood bookshelf.
But I have only been reviewing books that I have read for maybe twenty years?
I have learned that constructive criticism and your honest opinion aren’t always welcome by certain writers/creatives. With a few that I have encountered, ego gets in the way, and they feel as though everything they put into the ether will shit gold and piss silver.
But it will not. If an unedited book has a great core, a grounded foundation, a plot that readers can follow, and versatility, that book can be salvaged, edited, and reintroduced to the world to get the flowers it deserves.
I appreciated the fact that the author is versatile. In this book, you will find a play, fiction, spoken word/poetry, and simple dialogue between a mother and daughter.
The development of each piece is sound and vividly expressed with poignant details, however, grammar, syntax, punctuation, etc., takes away from the full enjoyment of the book.
The author’s voice cannot be denied or buried. It comes out swinging and demands a listening ear and attentive eyes. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book and sunk deeply into the plots and storylines.
With an overhaul and some solid editing, this could be a remarkable project. The strength is there, and one does benefit from reading it in its form, but I believe this is a rough draft that could shine with two or more digs into its bones.
The core is alive–bringing it to the surface in a more pristine form can happen, and I hope it does. The talent is unshackled, it simply needs to be formed, ironed out, and polished.
I hope to see a revised, edited version. I would purchase it as well.”
I reached out to J. R. to share the review with her first, and to let her know that I will be ready for the book’s golden return to the reading world.
She was receptive to the review and admitted she appreciated my honesty and that she knows the potential this book manifested in her head and heart, but it does need more care and attention.
I asked her if I could share it here just as I do with my other reviews, and she said that I could. Trust me, if I were not granted permission, you would not be reading this. This is a community of writers and readers. We deserve to grow amongst one another.
As a writer, I want openness and honesty about my work. As an author, I want reviews that are going to help me grow and keep me aware of my potential to get better, not just “Yes People” gassing my head up for the sake of ratings and approvals.
I am hopeful TheConversation returns when it is time, wearing a new dress, sassy heels, and a mink coat that would make its counterparts jealous.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-BookandPaperback) yet?
I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak aboutthe most recent events with my place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.
I lost all of my selves swimming in the depths of his eyes.
I was disruption; a distraction… we bombed before we could elevate.
catastrophic love.
have we come far enough?
although I am the eldest child, if this were the 1500s or I was of royal blood, my arrival to first would mean nothing because the next born has the package; male primogeniture cut me to the quick.
imagine being the first, most dependable, always responsible, and a doer without being prompted, yet your earned position in life depends on what’s between your legs.
that’s not a life I would have enjoyed living, but when I assess modern times and the fight women constantly battle, the system is still rigged to embrace the least educated, the most aggressive, and the overly-praised, so…
how far have we come, really?
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-BookandPaperback) yet?
I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak aboutthe most recent events with my place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.
Encouraging messages that have been AI-generated as I grow through the messes and joys of life.
AI-Generated T-Shirt Message #1: God’s Got This! Created with Canva.
Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-BookandPaperback) yet?
I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak aboutthe most recent events with my place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.
A Cornered Gurl 
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