Nikki Bonkoski
At first I'm shy, then I'm a podcast.
"When you look back on a lifetime and think of what has been given to the world by your presence, your fugitive presence, inevitably you think of your art, whatever it may be, as the gift you have made to the world in acknowledgement of the gift you have been given, which is the life itself.
And I think the world tends to forget that this is the ultimate significance of the body of work each artist produces. That work is not an expression of the desire for praise or recognition, or prizes, but the deepest manifestation of your gratitude for the gift of life.”
-–Stanley Kunitz.
Unbroken Snow offers poetic reflection as a woman in her mid‑40s rediscovers her inner flame. She sheds the habits that once confined her, gathers the girl she once was, and claims a life rooted in self-love and intuition. As she finds her voice again, she stands with calm strength. Her path lights the way for her daughter and echoes with women who understand rising after being dimmed.
“And it took me years....decades....
To stop....Stop the people pleasing.
Set down the loads that aren’t mine to
carry. Step away. Step away. Step far away.....
Turn around in the cemetery of my life. Take the
hand of my inner child...standing on unbroken snow.
And tell her....
“Come with me....”
“Nikki Bonkoski weaves a heartfelt, bold, and untamed portrait of women who reclaim their truth, embrace healing, and step back into their wild, loving selves. Blending courage, softness, and a spark of rebellion, this is a stirring read for women of any age."
“The woman walking down the street drinking her coffee? The day her house burned to the ground while she stood on the front steps internally screaming, fists clenched, eyes brimming with tears, heart burning with rage and sorrow?
Her past turned into confetti.
It's nowhere and it's everywhere.
It's completely gone as if it and that version of her never existed, and it's alive in the love she has in her heart for who she once was and has become. It touches every part of her life like a ghost, but she's not afraid.”
Haunting, evocative, and exquisite, Ghost Confetti explores the various facets of heartbreak and the sorrow of loss. The prose poetry and narrative within Ghost Confetti will resonate with your pain, elevate your spirit, and guide you on the path to healing your shattered heart.
Ghost Confetti is truly for everyone. It encompasses poetry and prose that encapsulate life, offering the wisdom you seek and the reminders that you are cherished and deserving of love. Although the words stem from my own experiences with pain, this book does not address suicide.
Consider gifting this book to yourself, your teens, or anyone in your life to share a touch of love. You will find yourself returning to these pages time and time again
Reviews:
"This prose poetry book offers invaluable heart wisdom. Keep a copy close by, purchase additional ones to leave on picnic and coffee shop tables for strangers to discover, or gift one to a friend. These uplifting words will illuminate your path during challenging times and help you feel less isolated in this vast universe. Within these pages lie messages that every person needs to hear: You are worthy. You are enough. You are loved."
"I just read your book. Congratulations, it is beautiful. Thank you for putting pen to paper and publishing it."
"The reason I am so in love with your book is I know how much it took to create something that bares your heart and soul- I’ve seen and witnessed your journey along the way and you’ve NEVER thrown in the towel, not that you’ve never wanted to I’m sure, but you haven’t! and that takes not only guts- but a connection and devotion to something so much bigger. I truly cherish your heart spilled words and I smile and get warm fuzzies every time I see it on my coffee table and I just got it today!"
"Thanks Nikki Bonkoski for all your hours, your dedication. Your healing power, your words, your prayers, your praise. The sharing of your life and for sharing your pain."
"GHOST Confetti is the new book that makes me feel less alone in my grief process. I just finished reading it, twice! The first time, I read it through tears on most every page! The second time, I highlighted nuggets of Nikki's clarity and wisdom because I know I will be referring to it often and for a long time ahead. She has taken an unimaginable, unbearable, & unspeakable tragedy in her family's life, felt all the feelings, poured out her pain and loss in constructive ways, and has gone on to build a rich and beautiful life. Some of the feelings have no appropriate human words that can even begin to convey the emotions felt, yet Nikki has poured out her love and loss onto each page. She has spoken hope into my similarly broken heart. It's rich in modern day imagery and language that hits you in your soul. Some of the thoughts she penned that resonated most loudly with me include: "Ghosts of the future that was stolen from you and rewritten." "Go towards anything that makes you feel ALIVE." "Let yourself rest and let yourself be happy. Let yourself trust new people." (I'm really trying, Nik!!) Thank you to this talented wordsmith author from my home state, who found the words to accurately describe a broken heart, yet leaves you inspired that life can still be beautiful! This is an excellent, quick read, and has helped me more in my grief journey than any other books I have read. Do NOT miss this, there is help and encouragement here for virtually any kind of loss you can think of; I will be buying copies for friends currently undergoing loss through divorce, loss of parents, and the disconnection that sometimes occurs in life when loved ones suddenly have no time for you. Loss is loss, but healing is attainable. Get this book!"
“Here's the thing about the very worst day of a person's life. Here's the absolute truth about the horror that someone endured. Not one single person felt what they felt, heard what they heard, seen what they saw. Not one.
Even if they were physically there. Even if they came after and brought a casserole or helped with the tasks....they weren't really there. They didn't endure it. They didn't feel it. They couldn't crawl inside it. They were merely witnesses to the worst day.
Witnesses to the burning house.”
Burning House will resonate deeply with the narratives held in your wounded heart. This blend of prose poetry and storytelling offers solace and valuable perspectives on navigating profound trauma. Within its moving pages, you’ll discover a guiding map to heal the flames within your heart and embrace the lingering embers that remain.
Burning House is a heartfelt tribute to my fellow survivors of suicide loss, as well as to those who have contemplated leaving this world but have chosen to stay. It captures the survivor’s journey, articulated through my poetry, prose, and storytelling – a narrative that resonates with all of us. I hope that within these pages, you find your own truth and pathways to healing. My desire is for you to experience a sense of connection and to realize that you are not alone.
Consider purchasing this book for yourself and for any survivor in your life, especially for those who have faced that dark place and continue to persevere.
Reviews:
"This is a raw and incredible book written by a MN widow who has survived the most horrendous exit of her husband. Her young family has rebuilt and is now thriving. Anyone going through suicide loss or any loss will find nuggets of hope because of Nikki Bonkoski's real life experiences."