Mental Reveries is a poetic collection that provokes deep reflection on the complexities of human nature. Rodrigo de Alcantara Paranhos, a brazilian author born in Feira de Santana, skillfully uses words as a precise tool to explore the nuances of culture and human behavior. Each poem takes the reader on an introspective and critical journey, questioning the impulses that guide our existence. The works delve into universal themes such as philosophy, sociology, psychology, the clash between narcissism and empathy, and the eternal conflict between the individual and the collective.

This collection marks the beginning of a trilogy of Reveries, where the author leads us through a vast web of ideas and questions about the role of the human being in society and the cosmos. Mental Reveries stands out for its ability to intertwine social critique and philosophical reflection, creating a poetic narrative that balances logical thought with an insightful view of contemporary tensions. Throughout the verses, the author constructs an analysis of the contradictions that inhabit the human soul, challenging the reader to rethink their beliefs and question the structures that shape their interpersonal relationships. His approach is a careful and incisive observation of the paradoxes that permeate our existence, offering a unique perspective on the human dilemmas and conflicts that define us.

Perfection is riddled with imperfections

The creations of Emptiness are full of Fullness,

There is no complexity

Everything draws its opposite.

I crafted worlds and gave them names,

I crafted life and gave it purpose,

I crafted beliefs, yet none truly made sense,

I crafted character, but they crumbled so easily,

I crafted families, then tore them apart,

I crafted bonds corrupted by lies.

It was then that I realized, even after losing everything,

They still searched

For meaning or reason

For a feeling to explain them

Or define them,

And they spent their entire lives

Seeking answers to their own questions

Instead of daring to go beyond,

To step outside the dome

Into a beautiful universe,

But they remained trapped in their own hopes.

I write to strip life of its meaning,

For something only has value as long as it remains unknown.

We live out of curiosity to die.