Introduction

William Almonte (williamalmonte@hotmail.com) was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and currently resides in Canada. His stories explore themes that are both common and profound: the power of words; the urge to write; the fear of the unknown; the choice of living intensely or limiting oneself to what is familiar; unrequited love; the existential loneliness and sense of dislocation experienced by immigrants in foreign lands; racial prejudice; the historical, political, social, and economic landscape of Latin America; the atrocities of war; and the dark side of human nature. They question some truths, conventions, and traditions that have been imposed on us by the Church, the State, and society at large. They also deal with the search for salvation through emotional ties with our fellow human beings; childhood memories and a return to one's origins; and ultimately, the quest for harmony and reconciliation with life and death through love. In many ways, it can be said that they are variations on the same theme: the fleeting nature of relationships, love, and life itself.