who says we need to be saved

what if

that novel fiction¹ we imagine

does not include us

we assume

our centrality² to the plot

is the ever-present narrative¹

that inevitability          that          ruha

wants us to challenge

every imagined future revolves around

you

me

we

us

are we willing          wait

let me rephrase

do we have the courage³

to expand our vision¹ and see

you me we

us

no longer

here

its possible

could equity be found there

much of the fear ursula speaks of

that fear in “our fear-stricken society”¹

arises from our desperate self

centred fight

against impermanence

and our disassociation with the cycle of life⁴

when we go the earth will          slowly          reclaim

what is hers

to her

our world of overvalued selves and importance⁵

means little

we are objects that rust          too

perhaps

we          are

our longevity

is

the falsehood¹

what if the trees have a place but we don’t

what if the machines do

what if its the virus

that cyberpunk condor⁶

knock knock                              knocking⁷

a dystopian refashioning¹ sure

but only through our eyes

it is a future that extends us¹

that we can’t pen

our egos⁴ our

arrogance⁵

will not permit it

bayo a

says “the way we approach the problem

is the problem”²

or maybe we

are

it

do we have it in us to       become

“things without pretension”⁵ do          we

have it in us to

band together breathe and let go

we are not permanent fixtures² here

that is where our empathy lies

our freedom          and

our greatest

gift.

REFERENCES

1. Benjamin, R. 2016. Racial Fictions, Biological Facts: Expanding the Sociological Imagination through Speculative Methods. Catalyst: Feminism, Theory, Technoscience, 2(2), 1-28.
2. Scolaro, N. 2020. Bayo Akomolafe Seeks Bewilderment. Dumbo Feather, Issue 64, 34-45.
3. Perrin, J. 2019. Padraig O Tuama Leads From The Heart. Dumbo Feather. Issue 59, 38-51
4. Mahathera, H.G. 1991. Mindfulness In Plain English. The Corporate Body of the Bhudda Educational Foundation, Taiwan. 
5. Huxley, A. 1954. The Doors Of Perception. Chatto & Windus. Great Britain.
6. Harding, J. 2020. An Exercise In Tension. www.jasonharding.com
7. Poe, E., 1845. The Raven. Philadelphia: Graham’s Magazine.