when we taxonomically



think about the world





we become blind







to our humanity

I used to think death was when the brain stopped working,
when the heart stopped beating.
But the day I kissed and felt nothing—
I knew I had already died.
Death isn't just physical.
It's the numbness.
It’s loving someone or something
that no longer nurtures your soul.
It feels like burning in flames—
and somehow enjoying the intensity.
Not wanting to be saved.
Yes, I’m burning.
And for the first time,
I feel safe—
because everyone is afraid to come too close.
This is where most people die.
But strangely,
I love to live here.
In this insensibility—
a phase where I’m falling apart,
terribly,
but finally feeling secure.
I wish to stay guarded,
forever.

Out of my nightmare,

I wake up in the anxious --


dream that is the world.

There is a world out there
Where my daughter was born.
She inherited my mind and my curly hair,
But she didn’t have to carry my pain—
Because I came before her,
And the world around her was better.

There is a world out there
Where my son was born.
He inherited my softness and empathy,
But he didn’t have to feel like an outlier.
He never had to hide his gentle heart,
Or pretend to be hard through his pain—
Because I came before him,
And the world around him was better.

There is a world out there
Where I was born exactly as I am,
But I didn’t have to suffer
Or carry so much pain—
Because someone came before me,
And the world around me was better.

One step back, two steps forward,
Swing around and do the dance,
Keep it fast, a little awkward
A whole world audience to entrance.

Now you've got them captivated
Up the tempo, raise the heat,
Some may need to be sedated
As they wither from your beat.

Hearts loud-pounding, foreheads thumping,
Gasping air among the shouts,
Doomsayers bleating, markets jumping,
Second guessing, full of doubts.

Quite the showman, what a show,
Media breathless wanting more,
Fans elated, bask in tow,
Others crowing, keeping score.

Just the start, watch him work,
Revelations by the day,
Not all true, surprises lurk,
Act with haste, keep foes at bay.

As for us enthralled spectators
Barely able to keep track,
Cajoled and pressed by paid narrators,
Every week a heart attack.

If we can but drown the chatter,
Keep a cool head, crack a smile,
Train our thoughts to things that matter,
Take the long view, wait a while.

Let the music work its magic,
His gyrations entertain,
Learn that life need not be tragic,
See the sunshine through the rain.

RAI 5/25

By Abpoetry & A.r Ivanovich


AB  - This world,
Oh man this world is a comedic catastrophe and too much
agony,
I've brushed away people causing division,
Flowers still grow under my feet praising my kindness,
But my niceness can be mistaken for weakness
even by nice people,
Can't trust too many nice motherfuckas nowadays,
We can now go our separate ways,
**** your advice, and **** your ways,
**** all the people in my past that did me wrong , no price is paid,
Baby rejection is protection,
We were never ever the same,
Self awareness and common sense meets logic,
The human brain can only do so much,
Consciousness electrifying beyond universes,
Thoughts racing into better circumstances,
Better choices,
So be mad when its you I would erase, you are a phase,
Don't betray my trust , it could get ugly,
Make up a sob excuse for what you did, waddle like a little puppy,
This world is a joke and when it ends , it still will begin.


A.R. - There’s a stretch
Of shadow
Standing in
the hallway.
I don’t know how
It got there.
I don’t remember
Opening the door
Or letting anyone
With such a
Cruel grin
Inside my
Heart
To mock me.

There’s a streak
Of shadow
Running the bridge
Of my memories.
Chasing fast,
chasing.
Reminding me.
Reminding.
Not to fall
Ever.

They say it’s best
To expect the harm
From other human beings.
Its yours anyway
If you ignore it.
Your fate, your fault
Your flaw.
No excuse for innocence
Even if we all
Join this world
With it
intrinsic.
**** that.

There’s an obscene
arsenal of barbs
And daggers.
Piled up on the
hardwood floor.
A Battle Royale
In waiting.
But I won’t touch
A single one.
Not even for the shadows.

Cut me down
And I’ll be shorter
But I’ll never be
Anyone but
Me.

As I travel through life's path
Fogs of uncertainty cloud my sight
Like the butterfly in the caterpillar
I drank of life's bitter river

Further and further I probed
Asking questions that beguile the old
Deeper and deeper I looked within
Searching through every life's inn

In that state of complete confusion
A fire ignites within bringing illumination
Shedding light in dark alleys
And reducing mountains to valleys

Within my soul a journey began
An unwinding path, where shadows spin
I longed for the truth, in every crease
As I embraced the parts I had release

With each forward step I dropped a mask
As I found strength in my vulnerability
A mirror telling stories untold
Of trials and triumph, young and old

In this inner world I found my way
Through light and night, dark and day
I learnt and forgave and let go too
As I discovered the beauty in me anew
Finding purpose in the chaos,
and rising against all odds