Roy Mathews

Roy Mathews Portfolio

What the stars didn't tell

Short Story / Young Adult

Oct 20, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

Set between the lush landscapes of Samoa and the urban streets of New Zealand, this powerful story follows Eseta, a young girl sent to New Zealand by her mother to pursue an education. In her uncle's home,… Read More

CARE YOU REAL?

Poem / Poetry

Oct 21, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

"CARE YOU REAL?" explores the poignant contrast between the innocence of life and the harsh realities of existence. Through vivid imagery of lambs in peaceful pastures, the poem questions the nature of mercy and the presence of… Read More

The Sculptor’s Dilemma: A Dream of Equality

Poem / Poetry

Oct 22, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

In The Sculptor’s Dilemma: A Dream of Equality, the timeless story of creation is retold through a lens of inequality and reflection. From the shaping of the first man to the crafting of his partner, this poem… Read More

Paradise: Faith, Fear, and the Gates of Heaven

Poem / Poetry

Oct 23, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

In this reflective and bold poem, the boundaries of faith and salvation are explored through the lens of Christian, Islamic, and Hindu doctrines. "Paradise: Faith, Fear, and the Gates of Heaven" grapples with the complexities of religious… Read More

They Make Us All Dimwits

Poem / Poetry

Oct 25, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

"They Make Us All Dimwits" is a piercing exploration of how religious structures, though intended for spiritual elevation, often breed division and dogma. This bold poem questions the nature of faith as mediated by human institutions, unveiling… Read More

Peace on Earth

Poem / Poetry

Nov 02, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

In Peace on Earth, the poet wrestles with humanity’s elusive pursuit of peace, navigating between childlike wonder and the cynicism of world politics. Through evocative language and thought-provoking irony, the poem reveals our paradoxical efforts to "achieve… Read More

A New Equation: a = 1000b

Poem / Poetry

Nov 03, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

‘A New Equation’ explores the brutal arithmetic of global inequality in a warming world. Through stark comparisons, the poem questions why environmental tragedies in wealthier nations gain widespread sympathy, while suffering in poorer nations is often ignored.… Read More

From dust to dust

Poem / Poetry

Nov 07, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

“From Dust to Dust" captures life's inevitable cycles through the lens of seasonal change, where maple leaves falling in autumn mirror the progression of human aging. In vivid, poignant imagery, the poem reflects on nature's reminders of… Read More

The Power of Apples

Poem / Poetry

Nov 08, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

This witty and reflective poem takes readers on a journey through the symbolic and literal power of the humble apple. From its health benefits to its pivotal role in mythology, science, and technology, “The Power of Apples”… Read More

Fallen leaves

Poem / Poetry

Nov 13, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

In “Fallen Leaves”, the fleeting yet profound role of each leaf mirrors the transient nature of human lives and legacies. This poem contemplates the seasons of existence and the often-overlooked contributions that quietly shape a grander whole.… Read More

The Red Tint

Poem / Poetry

Nov 16, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

In ‘The Red Tint’, the poet weaves nature’s transitions with the rise and fall of political regimes, crafting a poignant critique of ideologies marked by the red flag. Through the changing seasons and the dimming light of… Read More

CHRISTMAS OR CHRIST-LESS MESS?

Poem / Poetry

Nov 23, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

This thought-provoking poem reflects on the stark contrast between the humble origins of Christmas and its modern-day celebration. From the serene scene of the nativity to the chaotic realities of war-torn middle East, the poem questions the… Read More

The Tunnel

Poem / Poetry

Nov 28, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

In 'The Tunnel', the poet delves into the intricate parallels between human innovation and nature's resilience. From colossal machines carving through mountains to stem borer tunneling into the heart of a tree, the poem explores the impacts—both… Read More

The Class Reunion

Short Story / Other

Nov 29, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

Even the spirits of ancestors couldn’t help when living souls were determined to pursue destructive paths. After all, once spirits depart from this world, they reach a blissful state where our prayers and cries are like a… Read More

Equality and Justice

Poem / Poetry

Dec 07, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

"Equality and Justice" explores the poignant and timeless themes of mortality, fairness, and divine reckoning. Through the lens of two contrasting lives—an opulent king and a destitute man—the poem illuminates the true measure of virtue in the… Read More

BLAME IT ON NOAH

Poem / Poetry

Dec 11, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

"Blame It on Noah" is a thought-provoking and whimsical reflection on humanity's age-old struggles with nature's darker side. With a touch of humor, it daringly questions whether the seeds of these woes were sown on Noah's fateful… Read More

The Weed

Short Story / Other

Dec 14, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

"The Weed" is a poignant tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption set against the backdrop of a humble Samoan family. Rosetta, a resilient mother, grapples with the weight of aging and illness while reflecting on her sons’… Read More

Elizabeth. Why?

Short Story / Other

Dec 17, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

When Freddy stops to help a young woman stranded on a desolate country road, he never expects the night to take a chilling turn. A short story blending mystery, the supernatural, and the weight of human connection. Read More

The Mistletoe

Poem / Poetry

Dec 20, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

‘The Mistletoe’ explores themes of hypocrisy, human greed, and the spirit of Christmas. With vivid imagery and poignant reflections, the poet challenges readers to discard superficial traditions and embrace genuine compassion for the less fortunate. A powerful… Read More

YOU ARE NOT PETERU. YOU ARE PETER, THE ROCK.

Short Story / Other

Dec 28, 2024

The Booksie Classic House

"You Are Not Peteru. You Are Peter, the Rock" is a compelling tale of redemption, ambition, and ultimate downfall. From his troubled beginnings in South Auckland to becoming the charismatic leader of a thriving church empire, Peter’s… Read More

A codger's lament

Poem / Poetry

Jan 04, 2025

The Booksie Classic House

"A Codger's Lament" is a poignant exploration of aging, solitude, and the bittersweet memories of a life once cherished. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt reflections, the poem delves into the emotional landscape of an elderly man confined… Read More

The Bus Ride

Poem / Poetry

Jan 08, 2025

The Booksie Classic House

In "The Bus Ride," the simple act of commuting becomes a rich metaphor for life's journey. The poem vividly parallels the stages of life to a bus trip, from the fresh beginnings of a clean departure to… Read More

The biggest treasure hunt of all

Poem / Poetry

Jan 14, 2025

The Booksie Classic House

"The Biggest Treasure Hunt of All" is a reflective and poignant poem that challenges conventional notions of where divinity resides. A stirring reminder that the sacred is often found in the simplest gestures of humanity. Read More

Here it comes, there it goes

Poem / Poetry

Jan 18, 2025

The Booksie Classic House

This lighthearted poem, ‘Here it comes, there it goes,’ explores the fleeting joys of seasonal fruit, the promises of natural remedies, and the sobering reality of modern medicine—all served with a dash of humor and a sprinkle… Read More

Masons in you

Poem / Poetry

Jan 25, 2025

The Booksie Classic House

Masons in You is a reflective poem that examines humanity's enduring tendency to build walls—both physical and metaphorical—to divide and exclude. It challenges readers to confront the invisible walls they may build in their own hearts, urging… Read More

Blessed are the poor because........

Poem / Poetry

Feb 02, 2025

The Booksie Classic House

In ‘Blessed are the poor because...’, wealth and poverty stand side by side, revealing life’s ironies. This poignant poem contrasts fortune and misfortune, questioning whether riches bring true happiness—or if peace is found in the simplicity of… Read More

'Bring-a-plate' party

Poem / Poetry

Feb 23, 2025

The Booksie Classic House

A trip to the supermarket becomes a journey of tough choices in this witty and thought-provoking poem. Read More

I wish to wish

Poem / Poetry

Feb 28, 2025

The Booksie Classic House

A nostalgic reflection on childhood memories and fleeting moments, I Wish to Wish captures the longing for days gone by. Though the past may remain beyond reach, the poet finds solace in the act of wishing, savoring… Read More