The Illusion
The afflicted, the wounded, the ‘mad’ and the ‘bad’… The ‘manic’, the panicked, the silent, the sad.
They all have a story; they want to be heard… But we drug them and keep them locked up; its absurd!
But revered, in a world run by crooks… who invented disorders to distribute books.
with their justification the monetisation and gain… of dehumanisation and shame;
and we’re all in this game… Psychological warfare, but whose the insane?
As they gaslight, and cause us to question our logic… its demonic; the biomedical model- its toxic!
Pathologisation and medicalisation… Of every experience and human sensation.
No wonder we’re lost and addicted and scared… We’re not impaired; yet we doubt and we judge and compare.
Disempower ourselves, as we put all our trust into somebody else… Unaware and afraid, we fall under their spells- The illusion!
The brainwashing, lies and confusion. They’re the ones who know best… So we poison ourselves; put our minds in arrest…
We’re blindly complicit, then the side effects visit- It’s a mess, and our bodies are put to the test.
Its retraumatising… and they’re capitalising while desensitising a nation…
and we think we have choice… but surrendered ourselves, so we’re stripped of our voice…
It’s a fight! But we’re in this together; We must have the courage- we must strive for better.
For a paradigm shift in the matrix of power… Make them cower; Make them fall from their ivory tower!
Words
Words can be healing- Full of meaning and feeling.
Words can be cruel, When your heart doesn’t rule.
Words build connection, and guide self reflection, Its true…
But theres some things that words cannot do.
Words are expression of our innermost self…
Words carry power… even influence health.
Words are a way to give thanks for our blessings and lessons…
But their limits can keep others guessing.
Words can be empty and filled with deceit...
Some even used to control and demean.
Words can be taken, then twisted and changed…
Rearranged… for our internal narratives sake.
Words carry weight that we need to unpack…
But the words that are said cannot be taken back.
Words rarely convey what your heart wants to say…
Its true, that theres some things that words cannot do.
Your World
Your world is so far from mine... a land i can only imagine.
You’ve been there for such a long time… this dementia's a silent assassin.
You're eternally lost there it seems… and ive tried, but I just cannot reach you.
You’ll often appear in my dreams… behind a door that I cant find the key to.
Your world is so far from mine… you’ve wandered down into the depths.
By the time that I've finished this rhyme… you'll have taken another few steps.
I moved out of hope into grief… though I know that you're physically here…
Because nothing can bring me relief… while I'm watching my dad disappear.
Your world is so far from mine… and most days you're not even aware.
I look in your face for a sign… do you remember the love that was there?
There are moments of lucidity… but you're mostly confused and afraid.
Trapped in your rigidity… your mind and your body restrained.
Your world is so far from mine… and those fragments of memories wither.
You've journeyed and left me behind… and I fight with the tides of this river.
I know that you're lost in your world… but I'm now feeling lost in mine, too.
I may have your hand here to hold… but I'm living my life without you.
Your world is so far from mine… and I know that you'll never return.
I'm watching you slowly decline… while my world still continues to turn.
For years in this limbo, not knowing… expecting, and fearing the loss...
And all of the cracks are now showing… as I start to relive all that was.
Your world is so far from mine… but I hold all your memories close.
I’ll make sure I keep them alive… and share them so everyone knows.
How you lit up a room when you entered… and would always find joy in each day.
Had a lifetime packed full of adventures… you did life, and you did it your way!
The Alchemist Rewritten
He was searching for his treasure- He ventured far and wide... Almost losing hope, when the journey wasn't kind.
Thieves and tricksters lured him in and took him for a ride… But Santiago's mission wasn't over in his mind.
The twists and turns confused him, and he veered off track at times… But always found the way again; by following the signs.
The daughter of the merchant kept his hopes and dreams alive… The one his heart could not let go; the one he idolised.
He passed through towns and villages, and lived a thousand lives… with every lesson learned the shepherd felt himself grow wise.
At times, he’d stop and claim his home, but nowhere felt quite ‘right’… He'd pack his bags and move along- his dream back in full flight.
The boy had often wondered if the lows outweighed the highs… If he'd ever find the answers- If he'd ever claim his prize.
Some days he missed simplicity- felt saddened by goodbyes... He longed to see the one he loved and look into her eyes.
Determined to continue, he would push these thoughts aside… He came too far to turn back now- the treasure he must find.
His heart and body heavy, but his spirit ever light... he prayed he'd be rewarded- kept his head up to the Sky.
He reached his destination, and he dug with all his might... but he didn't find his treasure, and the day soon turned to night.
He cursed himself for falling for the fortune teller's lies; how could he be so stupid as to follow her advice?
His loneliness consumed him, and the tears now stung his eyes… He let the pain move through him, then began to realise;
The people he had loved and lost or thought he'd left behind, had joined him on his voyage- and he felt them by his side…
The ones who had betrayed him were all blessings in disguise, and through losing his possessions he learned not to cling so tight.
As his understanding deepened, he felt all blame subside... he knew that those who hurt him must be suffering inside.
He thought about the moments he found places to reside, and how they never felt like home no matter how he tried.
He knew that it had reached the time to say a new goodbye… to this dream he had been chasing, to reclaim his former life…
This thought plagued Santiago, though he put it down to pride… returning empty handed made the shame feel justified.
The dream had felt significant and now he wondered why- as he climbed up on his camel setting off into the night.
The journey back felt different- expectations set aside... It wasn’t all smooth sailing, yet he still enjoyed the ride.
The days rolled into weeks, though now he wasn’t counting time... he had no future plans and yet he didn’t seem to mind.
The shepherd looked around him as he finally arrived... and though it hadn't changed, its like he saw it with new eyes.
Now illuminated as the sun began to shine... he saw beauty all around him and the moment felt divine.
“Maybe this is where the buried treasure is” he cried, as he ran towards the ruins that had kept him safe and dry.
Although it wasn’t home, it never made him feel confined… he’d stayed to raised his flock here and grew fonder over time.
It suddenly occurred to him there was no finish line… There was no destination, or a safe place he could hide.
The safety and the comfort that he longed for all his life couldn’t be found in a desert, or possessions or a wife.
He let it all sink in- the disillusion and the lies… then realised that this never even came as a surprise!
It's like he always knew he held the answers deep inside... in the only home he needed, where the treasure brightly shined.
Branches
Your bark fell away and revealed what you hide… as you tried to protect all that softness inside.
Those thistles surrounding you once kept you safe… But the vines crept upon you and made you their slave.
You reached for the sky as new branches would sprout… Had a taste of the freedom, yet couldnt break out.
This assassin had trapped you… was stumping your growth… Now weighing you down and restricting you both.
Was it stealing your nutrients?… blocking your light?… As you offered support to this cruel parasite.
Were you tricked by the armour it seemed to provide? Did you feel less alone as you grew side by side?
Did you notice the moment you lost all control? Or was it more gradual as it took hold?
The questions resumed as I studied the vine and saw how it clung… how those shoots intertwined.
Had its sheer desperation determined its fate? Was the parasite really deserving of hate?
The meaning I gave to its presence was skewed... by the constructs I built while the victim ensued.
There was no duality… no black and white… no evil presence… and no parasite…
The light and the dark coexist and converge… And these beings were one as their branches now merged.
Lose your mind
Let things wait… let things slow. Tend you garden... let it grow.
Stop and breathe... let it flow. Imagined timescales... let them go.
Walk with purpose... walk with grace. Love your body... love your face.
Savour smells... savour taste. Step aside… leave the race.
Lose the fear… lose the doubt. Watch the thoughts like passing clouds.
Go within… then go without. Have a break... you are allowed.
Lose attachments… you're enough. Share your wisdom… share your love.
Be an eagle… be a dove. Lose the fighter… lose the gloves.
Lose the language… learn to feel. Lose the concepts… they're not real.
Be of service... turn the wheel. Count your blessings with each meal.
Lose your hopes… Lose the dream. Let it flow back to the stream.
Trust that things aren't as they seem. You’re the answer… You’re the key.
Stop the searching… see the signs. Stop the rushing… you're on time.
Find the mirror… lose the lie. Find your heart... and lose your mind
One
Your eyes meet mine and time stands still... our gaze remains unbroken.
Imparting truths of what is real… in this telepathic notion.
The wind howls softly through the trees... it carries words unspoken.
It almost brings me to my knees… My heart has been cracked open.
We’re just one spirit, just one mind... all sipping this same potion.
We all align and intertwine… through energetic function.
It procreates and permeates... collective raw emotion.
It activates and liberates… it sets our wheels in motion.
There is no ‘me’, there is no ‘you’… we’re waves in one great ocean.
I can be free and you can too... once we have all awoken.
I know your pain and share your love… I bow with true devotion.
We both have lows yet rise above... both fluid yet both frozen.
We will endure with fortitude... together with this token.
Of reverence and gratitude... for truth in words unspoken.
The Lesson
I boarded the plane with solitude in mind; a solo adventure to be still and unwind…
With my headphones in place, hood up to cover my face, I feel serene; now its time to let the music set the scene.
I was ready to fly and I noticed a guy, who was stumbling with a cabin bag and stopped by my side.
He looked me in the eye and said hi with a smile from the aisle; now I’m trapped in conversation for a while!
He sits down beside me and he spreads out his legs; talks at speed about his girlfriend and their antics in bed.
I try to disengage so I turn away my head but he gets closer; getting detailed with his confident exposure.
With my music on pause, I'm feeling mild irritation, and he's clutching at straws with surface level conversation.
He’s raising his voice through his childlike excitation… out of patience; I’m trying harder now to manage this sensation!
I politely shut it down and pull my headphones back on; watch the clouds as I'm slowly getting lost in my song.
Feel his elbow in my torso and he wriggles even more before he shouts, “Hey Mister, is there any alcohol about?”
I silently seethe that I'm sat with this lout whose disturbing my peace; the palpitations come now.
He doesn’t have a clue- he's even whistling out loud… I need an out; but cant escape until the wheels are on the ground.
A sea of empty glasses and his breath stinks of wine; I'm counting down the minutes and were almost at time.
The plane is now descending, still he carries on offending all my sense; my body's now employed all my defences!
I gaze out of the window and I start to catch a glimpse, of the vast expanse of forest and the lakes through the mist.
I'm filled with warmth and gratitude to even exist- I'm feeling bliss; no palpitations and I now unclench my fists.
I look over my shoulder to the guy by my side; whose tested me non stop throughout the whole bloody flight.
With this sense of awe and wonder and my system fortified my rage subsides; I ask him what his plans are for the night.
I'm waiting for an answer but this time he doesn’t speak; I inspect the situation and he's fallen fast asleep.
I couldn’t help but smile at the sheer irony because I see; the only person who had suffered here was me!
Are things that bad?
He needs to ‘man up’, he needs to be strong… Boys don’t cry… they just carry on.
It might never happen… give us a smile… That’s a feminine walk… that’s a feminine style.
He fights like a girl… boys will be boys… Boys and their weapons… boys and their toys…
We gave him that name and he’ll wear it with pride… Shes too young to know… shes warped in the mind.
Who wears the pants? put her in her place… She dodged my advances… She must have no taste!
Makeups for girls… my son wont be gay… I’ll take him to church and we’ll pray it away.
drank him under the table… he couldn’t keep up. Shes a bit too outspoken… shes pretty but plump.
That skirts a bit short… what a slut… what a whore. She was begging for it… just moments before.
A man in a dress reading stories to kids? He must be a pervert… Im not having this.
Another hate crime… The world has gone mad… Another teen suicide… Are things that bad?
Aladdin's Archetypes
A Diamond in the rough- We are indebted to this Sage… This jewel within- enough to keep us going for an age.
It may test our morality discovering the vessel... but those who never cling will never feel the need to wrestle.
This Magic Lamp alluring with the gifts that it beholds... Reality obscuring when your eyes see only gold.
Your wishes may be granted and your dreams may all come true… but the Magicians work just started- will you dare to see it through?
The Genie- what a Jester with his humorous façade… left in solitude to fester as the years all slowly pass.
His character uplifts while he's contained here and confined… will you offer him the gift of having freedom from his shrine?
Acknowledge when its time to leave or watch the cave now close… let go and you will soon conceive how the wisdom comes and goes.
Revere the Magic Carpet- its theatrical parade… as you welcome the Creative and its playful escapade.
So joyful as it dances- pirouetting for your leisure… Its performance it entrances- entertains and brings such pleasure.
Give thanks as you embark on the adventure it provides… inspiration lights a spark that keeps the carpet flying high.
You may find that there's a passenger who seems to go unnoticed... So cheeky yet so Innocent- excited yet so anxious.
The chimp Abu grasps tight with fear and causes a commotion… you may be called to help him soothe this powerful emotion.
He’ll settle down eventually and trust that he is safe… as you remind him how you got him through the darkness of the cave.
Now feel the sudden surge of the adrenaline that’s present... it travels through your body with a fizz that's effervescent.
Make way for the explorer- let his compass guide the way… as Aladdin the adorer of adventure comes to play.
Your trusted map and telescope will guide you where to go… with this brave nomadic rogue you can relinquish all control.
You may miss your princess Jasmine- choose to steer toward your Lover… who reminds you that your journey should not be tied to another!
She's a boundless pool of wisdom- she's the heartlines on your hand… behold the sacred feminine- the yin to every yang.
The moon that rises every night- the heart that always feels… the softness when you want to fight- she pacifies and heals.
Those times you’ll wander far from home don’t think this love will falter… her spirit is the gentle calm pervading winds and water.
Her energy protected by the guard she was entrusted… fierce Rajah was selected as parental roles adjusted!
Her confidante and nurturer- this tiger earned its stripes… took on the role of Caregiver- a noble archetype.
Her father, you would like him- he's always fair and just… as Sultan he's reliable and never makes a fuss.
The Every-man- he's loving, and his motives mostly pure… though often will do nothing when he senses there's a storm.
Jafar can be provoking with his power hungry acts…. unsatisfied and moping for the life he thinks he lacks.
Conniving and controlling- he's the Ruler without rule… blindsiding the unknowing- often villainous and cruel.
Colluding and derogative is his unrelenting bird… this parrots only narrative- his masters bitter words.
Iago stirs up feelings while perpetuating hate… just a Rebel- not ill meaning, but his voice will irritate.
Finally there's Prince Ali- the Hero of the story… at least that’s what he tells himself to revel in his glory.
Disparaging and arrogant when the mask becomes a role… but gaining fame and riches will not make the hero whole.
Our wishes won't deceive us- that’s the ignorance and greed… but our wholesome act reprieves us when we set the genie free.
This isn't all just fantasy- these characters are real… they even give us clues into the parts we need to heal.
These archetypes and stories all reside within our home… all useful and resourceful as we choose which seeds to sow.
Aladdin is just one of many- take the time to look… resonate then integrate- be the author… be the book.
Balance in Love
Last night I felt quite wired- I wasn’t very tired… Infact I started feeling quite inspired.
Craving meaningful connection and a little more affection… I forgot about my need for self-protection.
Blindly optimistic- naïve and idealistic… as a voice reminded me to be realistic;
“I have to ask the question… is this a safe investment? You know it always ends up in enmeshment!”.
A battle then ensued, so I thought it might be rude... not to recognise and share both points of view.
It’s a conflict that’s ongoing, and theres never any knowing... how it ends or which perspective I’ll be owning;
At any given time- because both these views are mine... A paradox, as neither wrongs or right!
I’d been a sucker for indulging and mindlessly divulging... when I felt a little chemistry emerging.
The energy transference always caused a mild disturbance... in the past, which led to chaos and perturbance.
I’d vaunter that its sensual and this person has potential... although a slow demise would be eventual!
The voice within was clear- this condescending peer... who whispered things I didn’t want to hear;
“Its just my observation, but are you blinded by temptation? This isn’t love, its just infatuation…
Yet here you are committing- it really is quite sickening... When things go wrong you know you’ll act the victim!”.
“This time it might be different” I’d reason with conviction... as the pull was like a heroin addiction.
“So she gaslit a few times, and she catfished me online, and stole from me and cheated; but its fine”.
We’d soon become entangled- loss of self… each time a shamble... the rope so tight that both of us felt strangled.
There was no expectation, so I dealt with degradation... and managed fine with poor communication.
I carried on defending through the doom that was impending... and every failed connection was heart-rending.
It took so long to see that the problem was with me... but with this came responsibility.
I took time for contemplation and a lot of exploration... then began to undergo a transformation.
Though I tipped the scale it seemed as the voice now intervened... self sabotage its overriding theme.
The one apparent ointment for the heavy disappointment at the time was through withdrawal and avoidence.
Available to none- I was emotionally numb... to the basic human needs of those I loved.
In all of my confusion I had reached the wrong conclusion... that detachment was the only real solution!
This false interpretation and emotional sedation, was the catalyst for re-evaluation.
As I felt it getting worse- the self imposed curse… when all my new connections would disperse.
I knew now where to start, though this was the hardest part... It was time to stop and mend my broken heart.
Embrace uncertainty and my vulnerability... and protect myself by setting boundaries.
Maintaining the defence had seemed like common sense... but now I had to ask, ‘at what expense?’.
I also made a deal to trust the energy I feel... and remember that my intuitions real.
I learned to listen the voice- pay attention through the noise... and compromise for balance with each choice.
Though the conflict still persists, we now agree we need a mix... of being cautious while we’re out there taking risks!
I learned that balance was the pinnacle, and that was unequivocal… so I’m learning to be vigilant- not cynical.