Locker by Michelle Ayon Navajas (2023). Available on Amazon.com at https://a.co/d/aTRPHTR.
This collection of poetic stories by Michelle Ayon Navajas touched my heart with its honesty and sincerity. She uses a school locker as a metaphor for the human heart and the feelings we lock away when a personal relationship falters due to fear, dishonesty, doubt, separation, love, friendship, longing, and frustrated desire. The stories are simple and direct, written in poetic prose that uncovers deep layers of emotion and self-reflection.
Consider this profound statement from her story, “War.”
“The greatest battle one can ever face is not war or conflict, nor is it survival or finding love. It is the battle of keeping love alive, a struggle that has been endured since the beginning of humanity.”
She writes about the unconventional side of love relationships in “Yes.”
“You captured my heart, not at ‘hello’ but at ‘goodbye.’”
“I was broken, not because you left, but because you wanted to stay. That afternoon, you pleaded for a chance and professed your love. I never gave you an honest answer.”
And pain? Yes, there is plenty of heartbreak and pain in these stories, as evidenced by her story, “Words.”
“’I’m sorry we didn’t work out.’”
“Damn, that killed me.”
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling and intriguing read.
Website: http://www.michnavs.wordpress.com
Dawn Pisturino
Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023
Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press
Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology
Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine
Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women
April 30, 2024
Copyright 2024 Michelle Ayon Navajas. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2024 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
Thank you so much Dawn ❤️❤️❤️
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You are most welcome!
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You’re most welcome Dawn
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What a superb review !
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Thanks, Maggie!
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My pleasure Dawn 🤗
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What a great review Dawn, makes it sound appealing and you caught me with the excerpt You captured my heart, not at ‘hello’ but at ‘goodbye.’”. That line alone should grab peoples attention or at least their curiosity. Thanx
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Yes, Ernie, I agree! That line caught me, too.
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Thanks for sharing, Dawn. I love the sample poems you included like this…. “You captured my heart, not at ‘hello’ but at ‘goodbye.” Can’t wait to read more.
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Thanks, Mary!
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Hi Dawn, a lovely review of Michelle’s book.
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Thank you so much, Robbie!
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Smashing good Dawn! A beautiful book and an amazing review!
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Thank you, Francisco!
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My pleasure Dawn!
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Dearest Dawn what a wonderful review and a gift. This is such an amazingly successful book and a big congratulations to Mich for the review and you for so kindly writing it. Blessings and hugs my friend, Love Joni
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Thank you, Joni, I’ll be reading and reviewing your wonderful book soon.
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That sounds like a wonderful book. It was a great review.
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Thank you, Thomas!
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It’s a great review of a wonderful book.
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Thank you, Sadje!
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A wonderful review, Dawn. I can’t get enough of this book from Mich.
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Thank you, Maria!
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