This book is a glimpse into my on-going flirtation with Dame Literature … and the rare occasion when … she winked back.

Regarding the poems, some of them arose in response to the morning wishes received as “forwards” via WhatsApp by people who could be considered as the modern roosters – summoning the sun over the horizon every day; others arose out of a deeply emotional response to situations like the present on-going pandemic. And then there are others.

The short-stories are based on happenings as I grew more and more aware of the world around me, and as I wandered through swamps of dog-eared files, never ceasing to wonder at the infinite variety of human feelings, deviousness – and resilience. Altogether, they reflect an attitude towards life: some guiding philosophy, some amount of humour, and … love.