"Time for Love" by Andre Ribeiro is the culmination of a profoundly personal journey that spans the highs and lows of his life, the emotions he's carried in silence, and the transformation he's undergone to become the person he is today. His poetry is a testament to the power of self-expression and the liberation that comes from sharing the parts of ourselves we often keep hidden. For years, he held onto feelings and thoughts he could only articulate in writing, words he couldn't bring himself to speak aloud. Now, after intense growth and reflection, he is ready to release these emotions into the world, hoping they resonate with others who have walked similar paths. Beneath the surface, Andre was navigating a complex inner world filled with emotions he would often keep to himself. Writing became his refuge, a way to process his thoughts and make sense of his experiences. He began to write in 2008, during a pivotal time in his life as a young gay man navigating the complexities of identity, love, and self-acceptance. It was a period of profound transformation, as he learned to channel his emotions-love, loss, hope, and resilience-into poetry. Through his poems, he found a way to give shape to the intangible, turning raw emotions into something meaningful. Each poem became a steppingstone in his journey, reflecting not only the pain and joy of his past but also the growth and hope he carried for the future. This book is a collection of poems that span Andre's past, present, and future. Some pieces were born from moments of raw emotion, while others reflect the person that he is still becoming. They are snapshots of his journey, moments of vulnerability, growth, and self-discovery. His hope is that these words will not only tell his story but also connect with readers who have felt the weight of unspoken emotion or the transformative power of love and loss. May these poems inspire reflection, understanding, and, above all, a sense of connection.
