I brought the copy of Locker: A Collection of Poetic Flash Fiction Stories by Michelle Ayon Navajas during a busy day of errands. I rode the train, and I was also caught in some Manila traffic. Since it was a holiday, my commute turned out to be longer than usual. I did not feel bored during my trip because I thoroughly enjoyed reading my book. I consider it to be the perfect traffic companion.
Poetic flash fiction deals with short stories of 1,500 words or less, which are told in a literary manner. This collection resonated with me because the author creatively incorporated everyday experiences into her work. My favorite was Cry because it appealed to my sense of empathy. In an age where people move fast and time never seems to slow down, it is important to consider how others feel, even if they are paid to do tasks which we ask them to do.
The author speaks of the Dreamer in her Forewords, and the theme of dreams is interwoven into her stories. She is a shining example of never giving up, as she has published her work in her 40s. She speaks of longing, expectations, pain, and hope. Her stories give me hope in the Filipino writer, as she gives a well-rounded set of themes in this book. She also celebrates being alone and the self-growth that goes with knowing yourself. I admire her tendency to tackle seemingly everyday themes in a lyrical manner. I also like how this book does not need to be read from cover to cover. But I did just that, and I had an enjoyable time. I hope that the author will continue to write poetic flash fiction stories because she is innately skilled in doing so.
Locker: A Collection of Poetic Flash Fiction Stories is now available!