I see you, you see me, we agree -

My friend, my confidant, and me.

We talked daily about life’s needs

Work and family, just you and me.

But one night… I had a dream,

Shook it off, you wouldn’t betray me.

An unexpected rift emerged between;

This was a teachable moment though for me.

Trust no one, keep my code, trust my instincts!

Wiser, stronger, better, independent - ME!...

Emotionally ravaged. Confidence destroyed. My subconscious must be reeling again because here goes another self-glorified idiot who thinks he knows my life.

Enraged, I’m just sweltering in this room, bursting with opinion though told not to speak for surely it will be an “excuse”… as if they even understand the difference between that word, perception and opinion. I meanwhile manage a smile… be...

“It’s just too much! Calm down!”, I shouted with an exasperated smile. My 2 boys sprawled over my head with their tiny bodies as I sat helplessly on the floor beneath them. They were so excited to open the big cardboard box my husband neatly tied and placed in the living room with a bright red ribbon.

As if rehearsed, the house filled with dramatic appeals. “Mummy, what is that?”, ”What’s in the ...

Red and gold hieroglyphic patterns embossed the maroon jacquard fabric used to encase the bundle. It was carefully folded over to reveal the sequence that translated to say, “As the sun rises, may your prosperity increase”. I had this pattern especially printed for her given her love for the ancient languages, she has no idea what’s coming her way. I thought of how to conceal the bundle in the car...