We had the good fortune of connecting with Ruemi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ruemi, what do you want people to remember about you?
I hurt. I create. I emote. Remember my words. Art without appreciation is isolation. The worst death you can inflict upon an artist is ignorance. Yet, even an audience of one and a rock to stand upon is enough to keep our creative drive healthy and flourishing.

Words are my playthings. I make them dance on the page and sing for you in melodic rhymes. Let that be my legacy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Poetry begins in sadness and ends in madness. I have not gone mad yet so there is more to come from me still. My predecessor by the same homonym (Rumi) wrote on the genesis of love and all it’s glories. I fixate on the aftermath of it and all it’s casualties.

Ruemi exists between the first and last teardrop. Whereas my previous incarnate lived a long life, this persona dies when the last drop falls.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Take them to the bustling centers of activity. The Miami beaches, the restaurants by the water, the rooftops alive with music and drink. Take them to these places to imbibe, dance, sing, and escape from the solitary life of my being.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Love. Shoutout to all those who have loved, were loved, loved in vain, unrequited or healing from it. Love is rare, always choose it over anything.

Website: ruemi.com

Instagram: @iamruemi

Youtube: @iamruemi

Other: My words exist in multiple incarnates: @iamruemi On TikTok for videos On Instagram for static poems On YouTube for artist renditions

Image Credits
@cottonbro

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.