The forest world I was born into has given me the poetic sensibilities. On my return early in January 2019 to Ulighembi village to film the forest world I was awakened to those sensibilities by the birds that welcomed me along the forest walk. It was not a retrace of my journey out of the forest world, but spiritual connection I needed to make with the divided self I have burned myself with for 55 years of my life. I am divided in diametrically opposed ways and yet remain fragmented in different angles. What could be a disaster was averted because I maintain one foot in the culture and tradition of my people and the other foot in the western world I have accepted as I journeyed out of the forest world. Much to the deepest part of me I found myself coming alive as we entered the forest. I took in the sound, the smell, the sight, and the light and dark of the forest. It was a treasure of emotional blessing to be born in a forest world. I relished every footstep taken and every
Chronicles the stories of education, books, writing, and reading in the life of Steven Edmund Winduo, PNG writer extraordinaire, literacy advocate, social literary activist, literary scholar, & teacher. Fern Ridge is a translation of Safla Rama, where home is for SEW.