When the time comes
For my eyes to 'ever close
And for my Heavenly
Father to call me home;

I hope my lips hold onto
A faint forever smile
Of which often spread
Heartfelt "I love you"'s

I hope my hair will be
A flowing stream of silver
With flowers placed
Sweetly around my head.

I hope my wrinkles
Are like an intricate map
Of the vibrant life
I've tried my best to live.

I hope my heart is
Filled with everlasting
Memories of which
My loved ones gave me.

I hope my name
Brings joy to those
Who speak it when
Their hearts are missing me.

For that is how
My grandmother
Left us; with pure love
Wrapped around our souls.

-ARI

Sometimes I hear you
Laughing loudly in my head
I can't make you stop.

It's been five long years
Since the last time your harsh hands
Claimed what wasn't yours.

I can still taste you
Like acid searing my tongue
I can't make you leave.

It's been five long years
Since your dark wandering eyes
Stalked my every limb.

I can still feel them
Roaming maliciously all
Over my bruised soul.

-ARI

Dear future generations,


         I
               am
                         so
                                 sorry...


You will never know
The sweet freedom from technology
As you spend hours stargazing
During sweet summer nights.

You will know
Far more fear than I could imagine
From the hate, anger, and deceit
Todays generations have created.

You will never know
The feeling of pride as your parents
Watch you succeed at something so small
With no phone pressed in their hand.

You will know
Bone breaking anxiety; depression
From the relentless stress to be perfect
According to societies twisted image.

You will never know
The joy of spending countless hours of
Exploring the outside world with only the
Clothes on your back and a friend beside you.

You will know
A world of color, laughter, and friends,
All within a screen, but turn off you device;
Your world is empty; your life is in pixels.

-ARI

Arms and womb
Are empty
No child
By my side.
But in my
Broken heart
My perfect child
Resides.

-ARI

If yesterday
Was but sand upon
A long abandoned shore
I'd wash away jagged
Memories of which it
Created.

-ARI

Because I am a man
Preferring men over women
I am often cursed and shunned
By the society we are lost in.

Because I am a young adult
Mere 20 years beneath my belt
The older generations claim
My fresh ideas could never help.

Because I am a woman
With no children in my arm
Others pull their kids from me
As though I'd bring them harm.

Because I am a Muslim
With a hijab on my head
Millions often blame me
For tears their brothers shed.

-ARI

She is
The late night
Drunken stupor
Resulting from a too
Expensive liquor night.

She is
The silent
Dinner hastily set
For one, with enough
Wine to knock out three.

She is
The shattered
Windshield creating
Mosaic pieces splayed
Across asphalt; irreparable.  

She is
The yesterday of
My revived soul and
Mind; never forgotten, yet
Finally forgiven for my scars.

-ARI