ONE FOR ’23





2023 has been a whirlwind, a year sculpted by its own hand, a year written in ink, blood, dust, and sweat. It has been a roller-coaster year for all and sundry, sometimes with showers of blessings that painted smiles on some faces and at times with springs of pain that left tears in the wake of others.

For some, it was the best year yet, a time of remarkable achievements and milestones, a testament to being God’s favourite. Their stories are jotted in bold, vibrant ink in their celebration of flourishing days under the sun.

However, for others, 23 has been a year tailored in blood, a testament to the battles fought and survived. These are the stories of valiant soldiers, of resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. Their tales, though painful, are a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the prospect of dawn.

And then there are the stories written in dust and sweat, the chronicles of everyday struggles. These are the tales of those who toiled on the streets to make ends meet for their families to break bread and butter. Sometimes, only a smile would do when water was all they had.

’23 has been a paradoxical year, a tapestry woven with threads of joy and sorrow, triumph and defeat. It has been a year where some cried themselves to sleep while others slept with smiles on their faces. Frankly, it has been a year that has tested us, broken us, and ultimately, made us stronger.

As we stand at the precipice of 2024, the scars of ’23 decorating our skin like shining armour, we carry with us the lessons learned as we hope for a better tomorrow. We move forward, heads held high, eyes fixed on the horizon, knowing that the best is yet to come.

Prince Diaries

Emmanuel Cheret is a multifaceted writer with a profound poetic voice that speaks to the deepest issues affecting our society today. As a professionally trained teacher and Software Engineer, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his craft, infusing his work with a rare insight and understanding that is unmatched in contemporary literature. With a passion for mental health advocacy and philanthropy, Cheret has dedicated himself to inspiring and nurturing poets, writers, and artists from around the world. His work has touched countless lives and has been widely praised for its emotional depth, lyrical beauty, and fearless exploration of complex themes. As the author of several acclaimed collections, including Wounds of the Moon, My Unknown Lover, Sonnets of Love, Random Feelings, and A Circle of Betrayal, Cheret has established himself as a literary force to be reckoned with. His work can be found on popular online platforms such as Wattpad and Webnovel, as well as on Amazon, where his poetry collection, Scars From The City, has garnered rave reviews. Cheret's work has been featured in numerous international anthologies, collections, and books, including Promises and Heart to Heart, among others. He is widely regarded as one of the most important voices of his generation and a beacon of hope for those who seek to create a better world. Emmanuel Cheret firmly believes that each of us has a responsibility to leave the world a better place than we found it. Through his writing, he invites us to join him on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation, inspiring us to embrace our humanity and connect with the world in deeper, more meaningful ways.