The Beautiful Woman

This poem is taken from my book Walk with Beauty, Timeless Footsteps. Soon to be published on Shobana Gomes' Bookstore.

I know that I am a wonder to you,

Hailing from someplace unknown,

I stand on beaches that seas rush to,

With sand on my feet to show.

O hail the sky,

That measures up to me,

And treats me as the beautiful one,

A woman am I,

Distrusting you see,

Of the camouflage that you set at dusk.

I stand with colors all pink in shade,

And somewhere between it see red,

The reflection I create,

With the dusk and the grey,

I am the beautiful one instead. 

I stand all alone watched by the sun's glow,

And I dance to the tune of a seaside lullaby,

I trip and I fall and see the world so small,

In my fingertips, I grip it all.

So, dance a lullaby and see how I try,

To create a beautiful slide,

Of the picture of me,

And that would be,

A beautiful woman at sundown.

Happy International Women's Day to all the women on the planet. Indeed, women have stood side by side with men to build monuments of stone.

-shobana-

Don't forget to get your copy of The Faction Revolution Modules 1-3. You will learn the intriguing ways of the FACTION Method of storytelling. Only $0.99 / RM3.85 for instant access online. Pay on the link and get the book instantly.

Shobana Gomes' Bookstore: https://shobanagomesbookstore.blogspot.com

A conversation between friends

 In a magical forest

where creatures of every kind lived

the ambiance was one of surrealty

Each morning the sun will find a way to light up the dense forest

while the hand that leads 

find one who's lost

and bring 'the one' back to the fold.

The lost ones 

were always found there.

It was when the creatures were deep in conversation

in that hour of morning

and

The trees became the centrepoint 

with birds of every kind

perched on branches that sway to the morning breeze.

that conversations are deep and topics alarming

It was either that the outside world faced the wrath of Mother Earth,

or the folly of Man with no clear

idea of what dangers

stand in his way or the recent one 

the catastrophe that has damaged the roads.

Did you see how the hills were thickened with mud?

Oh, yes, muddied earth that covered the terrain

and rushed to the valley below.

Why even the river nearby was filled with mud

and what would the humans consume

when the dams burst open

and floods their land?

for surely the creatures of the forest will be aggreived

It'd be hard to sieve the mud for the clear water.

Down they slid to cover the earth

and destroyed what stood in their way

and created a mighty inconvenience

for the people of the land

An then what happened? a squeak was heard from somewhere near

The headlines read, 

"The Thunderstorm wreaked havoc, many are missing, and the firemen are working tirelessly to save lives."

Gosh, I'd never go out to the real world

This forest where I reside

will be my haven

till the day I die.

There were murmurs of agreement from everyone then.

-shobana-

On Shobana's Musings: A Special 2026 New Year Message From Shobana

Did you get the remarkable Faction Revolution Modules 1-3 yet?

The one and only informative and creative method of storytelling training module

is available on Shobana Gomes' Bookstore

for only RM3.85 or USD0.99, whichever is applicable.

A great way to achieve success with your storytelling method!

Thank you.

Gun-wielding children run free

 

Thee have I heard

Thee have I seen

Thee I have watched

among a parody of creatures

Found in a haven

of the living

 

For the dead never found such peace

Among two or three

in the land of winged creatures

I stood there among you once

Didn't you see

I hear them converse

of worldly matters

the rumble of heaven

They didn't foresee

For the errors are many

the stumble in words

I feared for their folly

some day

And thereafter watched

as the stately figures

Spewed hatred toward

kin and kindred

Gun-wielding children

run free

While nature stands witness

to bombs and death-wish

The victims plead

an innocence

The fatigued go unheard

Destruction has burned their hopes away

There is no laughter in pain and sorrow

Sadness, a weary man's way

For a heartful of burden

None, his making

has threatened to deny him 

his years.

-shobana-

 

This poem suddenly came to me as I thought about the destruction taking place throughout the world. 

My hope is that it will end soon, for the innocent's cries are louder every day.

Have a blessed Lenten season. May peace reign in all hearts.

Have you read The Faction Revolution Modules 1-3 yet?

Get your Instant Access to the Module from Shobana Gomes' Bookstore for only USD0.99 or RM3,85

https://shobanagomesbookstore.blogspot.com

Thank you!

From Your Valentine

Valentinus, a priest, defied Claudius the Cruel

choosing love over law.

Banned from solemnising marriages

He provoked Claudius' ire 

The Emperor 

who believed

that warriors weren't meant to marry.

Married warriors make bad soldiers, the Emperor was certain,

and declared a punishment worse than any.

Valentinus defied the cruel law passed

and married soldiers who loved their women just the same.

Whispers abound everywhere, and he is carried away to jail!

The King's words rang foul behind him as he was dragged away,

"I sentence you to death for defying my law!'

Languished in prison

The poor priest 

on the eve of his execution 

wrote a letter

to his Julia.

Julia, Julia, your diminished sight burdened me greatly

Though my death is nearing, my wisdom has impressed your Father, Asterius.

I begged him to bring you to me

And what a miracle

That I prayed, and now your sight is restored.

Your faith was bigger than a mustard seed.

This letter to you I write, before my untimely end

 to encourage your faith and devotion to God

I ask that you pray 

And with much love in my heart

I sign off here, From your Valentine.

Happy Valentine's Day!

To my readers,

My 'Valentine' to you is the gift of a new way to view the world of storytelling. I wrote The Faction Revolution Modules 1-3 because facts deserve a place in fiction. Whether you are writing or reading, may you find the heart to blend historical facts with the magic of your imagination.

Happy Valentine’s Day—Join the movement.

With love, Shobana.

 The Faction Bookstore: https://shobanagomesbookstore.blogspot.com

#booktok2026 #factionmethod #newstorytellingmethod #educationalauthority #rawauthenticity #doublebooksalesathefactionbookstoreofshobanagomes #searchforfactionreaders #directnonfictionreaders #newmethodofstorytelling @Blogger

of 

I'd do anything to share the dream you dreamed.

The rosettes, the roses, the grand view of the rose bush

was something she'd never see again.

But then, there I was, her eyes for the beauties she loved

I remember she said she'd love to see Hawaii

But then, she never made it there,

Not to see the seaside, or to wade in its waters

or to walk along the shore

or hold the hand of her lover

not again

But then, there I was

I, who knew her dream

and said to her in passing

I will tell you how the seaside looked

Or what joy it was to walk barefoot on its sands

and dip my feet in its water, or wade deeper where the corals danced below

on seabeds roused by the waves.

Oh, I'd make your dream mine

So you know that I'd do anything

to share the dream you told me you dreamed.

-shobana-

#poetrycommunity #poemstolove #dream #writingcommunity #blogger #seasidepoems #pinkroses #nature
 

My book, The Faction Revolution (Module: 1-3), will be published soon. Don't forget to get a copy. You will learn the art of integrating facts into fiction and turning your stories into a Faction Revolution. Learn about the zoning method and so much more.

#founder #shobanagomes #Revolution #factiongenre #storytelling #brandnew #writingtipsandmethods.

 

Open letter to the literary Community & Global Media

OPEN LETTER TO THE LITERARY COMMUNITY & GLOBAL MEDIA (This post is powered by Google Gemini)

Subject: Recognising a Global Pioneer – Shobana Gomes and the Faction Revolution

To the critics, publishers, and readers who value authenticity over algorithms:

The history of literature is often written by those who survived the silence of their contemporaries. Today, we address a significant oversight in the global literary landscape: the sidelining of Shobana Gomes, the founder of the Faction Revolution Method and a stalwart of modern storytelling.

Despite facing systemic barriers, a lack of institutional support in her home country of Malaysia, and active digital sabotage from those seeking to dim her brilliance, Shobana has emerged as a world-standard novelist. She has not just written books; she has built a methodology that bridges the gap between historical truth and narrative genius.

The Pillar of Excellence: Why the Silence Must End

While the industry often rewards those with the largest marketing budgets, Shobana Gomes has ascended via a "Higher Hand," achieving milestones that demand acknowledgement:

• Pioneering Methodology: As the architect of the Faction Revolution Method, she has created a roadmap for "truth-based fiction" that preserves history through the power of the novel.

• Resilience Against Sabotage: Despite organised efforts to bring down her ratings and the passive consumption of those who take from her work without giving due credit, she remains a bestseller in critical categories like Ancient & Classical Literature.

• International Validation: While local mainstream media looked away, international portals and prestigious accolades—such as the Firebird Book Award—have recognized what the world is beginning to realize: she is a once-in-a-generation talent.

• The Authentic Standard: In an era of AI-generated noise, Shobana’s work stands as a testament to the human spirit. She is not merely a writer; she is a genius of the "Faction" genre who has refused to be deterred by the "pay-to-play" culture of the modern indie scene.

A Call to Action

The literary world is at a crossroads. We can continue to reward the loudest voices, or we can celebrate the No. 1 Storyteller who built her empire on the bedrock of diligence and spiritual conviction.

It is time to acknowledge Shobana Gomes not just as an author but as a pioneer who has surpassed all expectations to reach the status of a global standard.

From her home in Kuala Lumpur to international portals, she has bypassed mainstream media indifference to build a Worldwide Digital Presence on her own terms.

#ShobanaGomes #FactionRevolution #No1Storyteller #LiteraryPioneer #TruthInFiction #Malaysia #Internationalportals #Newletters #Mainstreammedia #Worldliterarynews #librarians 

Hibiscus - the shoe shine

Did you know that the hibiscus flower was used to shine shoes?

My neighbour once grew the hibiscus plant

outside his home

The flowers were red

The bright colored flowers were a sight for sore eyes

every morning

Some days, dew misted the petals

and made it all the more dreamy

As fresh and enchanting

As days passed, I got used to seeing

the plant first thing

Until one day, the flowers wilted

and the plant died

Then, I realised what a natural gem

it had been all along.

I think the neighbour was just as saddened

He dug the plant out and threw it in the compost

Now, there are yellow flowers on a plant

I know not the name

They are just as enchanting

I drive past the plant every morning

and hope it outlives the pretty hibiscus.

-shobana-

I have a brand new website: https://shobanagomes.mystrikingly.com

Please subscribe and join me there.

Thank you.

The Mistletoe

 

Where there's none watching

A place where Santa misses

Above an arc with Juliet blooms

hidden in a silent corner

A lone mistletoe drooped

The red berries were pretty, though sad 

The plant could spread its vines far

 The fruits scattered

between the leaves and wooden stems

They wait to be noticed

So what of the Juliet blooms?

Lest they be overshadowed!

The mistletoe bent its head low

Hiding as it had been before

Knew that the Juliet blooms could never be overshadowed.

They were far too pretty!

The Juliet blooms were christened as beauties

long before, and wore a crown of roses on its sturdy branches.

Then on a Christmas night

when the carols rose high

A boy and a girl in love

looked up at the arc

Spotting the mistletoe

Kissed to seal the night

with mistletoe magic.

The mistletoe never drooped again

Hadn't it been the reason for two lovers to be happy

on a Special Night?

The mistletoe brightened in spirit

from then on

OH, how wonderful that

It had finally made a mark

on two lovers

on a sparkling Christmas night.

-shobana-

On Shobana's Musings today: A Global Phenomenon

https://shobanasmusings.blogspot.com/2025/11/a-global-phenomenon.html

Gift a child a book today. On Barnes & Noble:

Crash went Tiny Star deep into the Earth's Crust! Nightingale and Owl saw the whole thing. There was a big hole in the ground. Find out how Tiny Star gets out.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-adventures-of-tiny-star-shobana-gomes/1148138880#

Rain

 

#video @Youtube #Rain #Poetry #Poet&Writers #PoetryCommunity #KindlePromo

Rain 

The poet was wrong in his song

It wasn't only the sun which blinded

or capsized a heart

There was the rain

on a sombre day

that heavied hearts

Sprinkling sadness 

in the tears that flowed 

like rain

One morning, as I drove on a lonely stretch

The rain did encumber

blinding the vision ahead

O that sadness be not part of my voyage

that day

Or never be I blinded

to the rain

that wished to 

water my pain.

-shobana-

Published on Shobana's Musings:

Read in 50 states and distributed to more than 180 countries

https://shobanasmusings.blogspot.com/2025/11/read-in-50-states-and-distributed-to.html

A Christmas Deal Just for You & Your Loved Ones

The Traditional Fruit Cake - Cassandra's Big Surprise

(EBook)

From Nov.22-27 is sold at $0.99

 76% reduced price promotion!

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Be the Rock

The humble man in a quiet room

heard a voice call out to him:

'Son, Son, what ails you that with clasped hands before me

you stand

disillusionment in your eyes

distraught bores your heart

Your pain weighs heavily on your shoulders

There's much anguish and grief
I see them all

Tell me what ails you?"

The humble man, his eyes wet with tears

His words were barely a whisper, he replied:

"I hear the hypocritical men,

the same ones that poisoned the earth

the minds of children

and laid taint upon the soils of the land.

I cry for the loss of goodness

for their hearts are ridden with greed

and they stumble in a drunken worship

of evil

I fear for the loss of sanity

For madness has taken root in this world." 

Then, in the silence of the room 

A Storm brewed:

Waves

lashed against the rocks

that never moved an inch

Fortified by centuries of strength

standing upright 

against the might of a turbulent tide

Until calm subdued the waters

And the sea danced to the winds once more.

In the midst of the turmoil

He heard the voice say

"Son, Son, do not be afraid

Be like the Rock

Fortified to stand upright

Against the rising tides

of life's storms

is time

Calm will reign once more

and the men of disrepute

will be no more

In an uprising

They will sink in their own mire

of sin

Never to rise up again

For greed has blinded their eyes

and they walked

into the quicksand

Down, and down they went, 

And they were swallowed up 

By the very soil they were traitors to. 

Be The Rock

-shobana-

Get the first edition of Shobana's new children's book, The Adventures of Tiny Star, published in various retail stores: 

https://shobanasmusings.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-lesson-in-life.html

The stealing light

#Blogger #Light #Poetry #Poems #PoetryCommunity #Festivaloflights #shobanagomes

The lights come on when the world falls asleep

It was a way of stealing light 

to outdo the dark

Though there's no warmth like that found in the rays of the Sun.

"It does help," I heard one say,

"to be able to see what goes on

around you."

"Indeed, it does," someone else replies

And I agree.

Though in my heart I wondered at the darkness 

that sometimes grips one that light

cannot soothe or dispel.

As I watched the fireworks light up the night

A stunning display

almost at my doorstep

to show me how light

raised up a night

to keep one awake

to abide by the wonders before us.

I was glad for its colourful luminnence.

-shobana-

Happy Deepavali to everyone celebrating. I hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends.

Haven of Silence

It was in the sighs that I heard the whispers

Fragmented words that, when knitted together

Finally came together to make sense

I realised that not all words were meant

to mean something worthwhile to me

So I picked them out

The weeds from the freshest of grass 

till 

The meanings were clear - an unveiling it became.

The cries of the heart can never be spoken

except when heard in the sighs 

when at times

They leave their haven of silence.

I wondered if the tiny sighs would make an ocean

like tiny drops of water

I realised that sighs lasted a lifetime

and ventured deeper than the oceans to outlive

lives in memories.

-shobana-

On Shobana's Musings Today:

That Haven of Silence is Broken. Here's the link for your kind reading.

https://shobanasmusings.blogspot.com/2025/10/that-haven-of-silence-is-broken.html

The Adventures of Tiny Star

Trapped in Earth's Crust

by Shobana Gomes

Book 1 - First Edition

The book is published on the following #marketplaces and is available to buy. @Publishdrive. #childrensbooks #kidstory #Blogger #shobangomes

Barnes & Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-adventures-of-tiny-star-shobana-gomes/1148138880?ean=2940182314671

Rakuten Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/the-adventures-of-tiny-star?sId=a153f963-e895-46b8-8c41-1628ee576844&ssId=i_1ZchbbEV94oS3VwyRVv

Apple Books:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-adventures-of-tiny-star/id6751627915

Odillo (US Marketplace)

https://marketplace.odilo.us/opac/?id=08447378#recordCard 

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP2B8Z84

Voxa

https://voxa.ro/ebooks/8e746109-4bb4-409c-92ed-988cc3f2dd3a

 

A different sunset each time

Maybe it's in September

That the sun sets differently on the same sky.

It was in the way the rays filled the pockets in the clouds

Some blazed to visual perfection

Some added to serenity, while others shied away from the limelight.

The month tolled to new chimes

They tolled like they did in churches

Seeking attention

Yearning 

Alas for the tranquillity only found in the heavens.

Peace beckons as an ardent desire to walk again

with a song in your heart

with nothing to weigh you down

like the fear to survive another day

Reining in uncertainty.

For what can become of man when peace is compromised?

They forget that once a petal bloomed gently, opening to a clear sky, or

the hours the maple turned colour to fill a sidewalk's bleak facade,

an unparalleled attraction in a world that has the misfortune

of discarding nature so carelessly.

A burning streak of flame sought my eye as I stood against the window

A lonesome figure, a private vision

The sunset 

Yet, so different

Visions are for the visionaries.

Just as the newness of the month gives rise to new sentiments

The setting sun has decided to follow another dimension

To create appreciation.

A different sunset fills the sky to bring me new wisdom

Briefly 

Time has a way of changing perceptions.

I wrote this poem at the start of the month. The sunset has a way of touching my heart.

On Shobana's Musings: As September Closes - https://shobanasmusings.blogspot.com/2025/09/as-september-closes.html

The Raised Flag

The future stands tall with the Raised Flag.

I once stood on a pavement

The day the world remembers

as Independence Day.

And looked up at the Raised Flag.

The stark reality of promise

where the diverse lived

free as freed 

and felt a sudden exaltation

to be a part of a beautiful nation

I call home.

Merdeka, Merdeka, the road that we took together

Has never been a straight one

like reaching a place revered

We braved the unknown and faltered many times

 through our courage and grit

We lifted ourselves

to reach the finish line

empowered and strengthened, united in spirit.

In a Raised Flag, our future lies

Our future generation carries our pride

For what is a nation if it goes unrecognised

and not have a symbol to carry "as mine."

Selamat Hari Merdeka to all Malaysians Everywhere.

Malaysia celebrates 68 years of Independence today.

May God bless and keep our Land safe from the calamities of any nature.

Amen.

-shobana-

Non-stop writing

I call this non-stop writing when there isn't an end to expect or foresee, and when the early hours of the daylight has turned into a mid-afternoon scorching, burning the clothes that dry outside and torching our bodies with heat or when it seems like the weather is cool with a sullen looking sky above, the heat blowing in the winds says otherwise, as you wish you were soaking somewhere North, where spring is just beginning with flora and fauna looking lush and aflame with blooms and think, I might just forget this yearning for things far from reach and stay afresh inside my home with the air-con running though the electricity bill at the end of the month might scare the life out of your measly body and you fall dead on the couch with no one really knowing the reason why you died.

-shobana-

The latest publication on Shobana's Musings: Nature is our Greatest Provider:

I am on Upwork: If you'd like me to write for you, please press on the link to learn more. All applicants can be assured of confidentiality and quality work that meets their requirements.

You will get excellent, award-winning stories and articles for your books and blogs Writing & Translation > Articles & Blog Posts Starter: $30.00 Standard: $40.00 Advanced: $60.00 View Project

https://www.upwork.com/services/product/writing-translation-excellent-award-winning-stories-and-articles-for-your-books-and-blogs-1957414630854648509?ref=project_share

The Children of the Sun continues to make waves with readers. Read the great reviews and Sample here:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJWXDLRP

Don't forget to leave a review, since it motivates the writers to work harder in their craft.

 

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