#When_the_flowers_begin_to_speak by Sonali Pattnaik Sonali's book speaks volumes. It's divided into four captivating sections: RIPPED, RECKONING, REBORN, and RISEN. Every line and word struck a chord with me. This voice needs to be heard not only by women and girls but also by the men and boys we are raising. And if you feel you don't understand, consider it a privilege if you haven't experienced this pain. However, it doesn't give anyone the right to invalidate it. You can order your copy from Sonali, a person I deeply respect for multiple reasons. Connecting with her on Facebook has been a privilege, and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to her. Here are a few of my favorite lines, which resonate with what's happening in my state: RIPPED in case of abuse “…I walked out of the court(eous) room all mask, no face, secretly bleeding, my witness hostile, my body adjourned by the judge’s note on sticks and stones and broken bones…” RECKONING writing as a witness "...writing is a remembering that will howl out the past as you let it on your blank sheet spill memory’s witness and her telling even when you have long forgotten, writing remembers still..." REBORN how to find politically-sound love "...love that doesn’t need intoxication to know it’s got a good thing going on find love that respects the ordinary respects your mind, heart, body love isn’t a luxury that you pay for..." RISEN not afraid “…they are afraid that I won’t come back they are afraid that I will they are afraid most of all that I’m not afraid like that…” To get your copy, email: writersworkshopindia@gmail.com
