You listen but you don’t understand me
– an excerpt from the book
Because you can’t comprehend my realities
Head doctors listen to my clues
Discovering deeper meanings within their trues
ARPress proudly presents “Intuitions: Book of Poems” by Karl Kevin Smith, now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the ARPress Bookstore.
This isn’t just another poetry collection. Intuitions is a sprawling journey through 112 poems that explore everything from the quiet introspection of solitude to the bold declarations of rebellion. Karl’s words carry you through a spectrum of experiences—each poem feels like a conversation with an old friend who’s seen it all and isn’t afraid to share both the beauty and the pain of life.
The book opens with stirring pieces like “Ode to the Mobility Air Forces” and “Fallen Hero,” where Karl pays homage to sacrifice, honor, and the silent battles we fight every day. As you move deeper, you’ll find poems like “Soul” and “Beautiful Flower,” which capture the fragile nature of love and vulnerability with a raw honesty that resonates long after you finish reading.
There’s a dynamic range in Intuitions. On one hand, you encounter reflective works such as “Wilted Flower,” “Windows,” and “Waterfalls”—poems that invite you to pause and consider the quiet moments of personal introspection. On the other, Karl doesn’t shy away from exploring darker themes. Titles like “Broken,” “Betrayal,” and “Dish Cloth” offer a gritty, unfiltered look at the pain and disillusionment that sometimes accompany life’s journey.
Yet, even in its most somber moments, the book is laced with a playful, almost mischievous spirit. Poems like “Sexy Overdose,” “9mm,” and “Ice Trayed” showcase Karl’s willingness to push boundaries and challenge traditional notions of poetic form. There’s a sense of rebellion here—a reminder that art, in its truest form, is meant to provoke thought and stir emotions.
Karl Kevin Smith’s work is deeply personal, yet it never feels self-indulgent. Instead, his poetry strikes a balance between vulnerability and wisdom. He writes like someone who’s lived every facet of the human experience—joy, sorrow, love, anger, and everything in between. The language is direct, conversational, and sometimes even playful, as if you’re chatting with a friend late into the night. Each poem is crafted with care, drawing on vivid imagery and a rich tapestry of emotions to create scenes that are as tangible as they are evocative.
The book also delves into social commentary. Pieces like “Antiquated” and “US” question societal norms and challenge long-held assumptions about identity, culture, and history. There’s a fearless exploration of the contradictions inherent in our modern world—an invitation to see beyond the surface and engage with life’s complexities.
Born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, Karl Kevin Smith is a proud by-product of the educational system of District 189. He credits inspiring teachers—like Ms. Hunt, Ms. Dillard, Ms. Adams, and Mr. Logan—with igniting his passion for the written word. Karl’s background and individual experiences infuse his poetry with a distinctive voice that is as authentic as it is compelling. His work has not only garnered attention from readers but has also been recognized in reviews by major outlets like The New York Times, which praises his ability to convey deep emotions with simplicity and strength.
Every page of Intuitions feels meticulously crafted, a labor of love that invites you to take a closer look at life’s intricacies. The table of contents itself is a roadmap of human emotion—from the stirring cadence of “Ode to the Mobility Air Forces” to the contemplative farewells in “The Other Virginity.” Karl’s poems serve as both mirrors and windows: they reflect your innermost thoughts while offering a view into experiences that might be entirely new to you.
Whether you’re drawn to poetry as a form of personal escape or as a tool for introspection, “Intuitions: Book of Poems” has something to offer. It challenges you to confront your feelings head-on, to embrace both the beauty and the brutality of life, and ultimately, to find solace in the truth of your own experiences.
Dive in, and let each poem guide you through a journey of discovery, healing, and transformation.
“Intuitions: Book of Poems” by Karl Kevin Smith is now available for purchase via the ARPress Bookstore.