Writings

Unedited excerpt of my memoir - ©2019 Sylvaine Francine  So, this is the way I live. On one hand, managing my busy schedule leaves me breathless. I pay for my lodging, every Franc, earned honestly. Every Franc costs me my nails which I chew at the end of every month and the intensity of my college curriculum makes me tired and feel helpless. I dread my end of the year exams. Will I pass them? I … [Read more...] about Paris 1979 – Eat the Cookies

Unedited excerpt of my memoir - ©2019 Sylvaine Francine   Every day, from morning to evening I run ragged, constantly I glance at my watch. It is seven o’clock. I lock my door and one more time, I mentally inventory what I need for this day. I fly down the seven floor spiral staircase and hold on tight to the railing. It is easy to get dizzy, to miss a step. Every day, at this early hour, I … [Read more...] about Paris – Right Bank Neighborhood, 1978

Unedited excerpt of my memoir - ©2019 Sylvaine Francine My grandparents, Eugene and Marguerite, moved out of the street of the Pierced Ass Holes to a house fills with light as soon as the sun hits it. A courtyard spreads on the front, and past the two flowerbeds and the seven feet iron gate, the water street pump stands, right there, handy to use. There is running water in the kitchen, but I … [Read more...] about The Water Pump House

Unedited excerpt of my memoir - ©2019 Sylvaine Francine   In this excerpt, from the Northwest, we "land" in Bombay, as Indians say, and Mumbai, as westerners say. I look around my living room, in this house perched high up among the tall cedars. With one last glance to the waterfront view, I close the blinds. On the other side of Puget Sound, downtown Seattle’s bright lights reflect in the … [Read more...] about The Pacific Northwest, 2006/ Return to India

Unedited excerpt of my memoir - ©2019 Sylvaine Francine   At the train station, I wait for Yvette and Alexis, gone on an errand. It is hot, stuffy and very crowded here. Three hours. Sitting on the blue trunk, I open the package of cookies I just bought. I hope they have escaped the humidity of the weather. At first bite I realize they have not. Mothers are busy with little children, always … [Read more...] about India 1978 – Train station

Unedited excerpt of my memoir - ©2019 Sylvaine Francine    On the sidewalk, a busy shopkeeper sells plates of food. Bhel is my favorite crunchy spicy foodstuff: dry noodles on a bed of vegetables, topped by some flat crackers which can be used as silverware. It makes dinner easy and… tasty. I ask for some tea. The hot beverage will hopefully boil away any kind of bacteria or virus. A beggar … [Read more...] about India 1978 – The Beggar