the farmer's almanac

the farmer's almanac

 

 

goodbye, stable boy

the milk is infected

the horses are drawn and haggard

the hay is soaked with tears

 

your good book

has been slammed shut

and your services are no longer needed here

find another countryside to peddle your wares

 

i am sure your wisdom would reign as King

somewhere people might listen to reason

but this barn is soon to be burning

 

maybe we can all sit around

roast marshmallows on the fire

and pray that salvation

is as close as the next field of 

untainted grain.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

11/16/16 

Reviews

[gabrielle]

This piece makes me think of the possible social and political situation in your country once the new policy of the incoming administration will be implemented. Very relevant.piece.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, thank you for that, gabrielle...

j.

[Tony Jordan]

'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?'
hope we aren't now faced with the prospect of 'going it alone' but perhaps it has been that way for ages - as Joanie Osborne said 'what if God was one of us...trying to make his way home?'
Stirring writing Jacob Erin-cilberto

[jacob erin-cilberto]

great song...yes, "a slob like one of us"

riding the bus...well we are on a strange bus right now and will have to see where this all goes.

thank you for your words, Tony.

j.

[Tony Jordan]

Its not exactly Ken Keseys but it will be interesting
your very welcome j.

[andrew mitchell]

This poem's theme reminded me of peasants in Russia during world war 2 where they were told to burn everything before the Nazis arrived. Now one must ask if the farm is really tainted or just under govt control over people.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, andrew, for your interesting reply...learned something or at least was reminded of a piece of history, from your review.

j.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my! such dismal-ality ;) first impression was the stable boy is in big trouble but continuing on he is not the antagonist at all ...lots of anger in that farmer yet he is no evil character either ...so pestilence and disease are the culprits with fire the only cure .... eyow! reminds me of so many things ...but in the end the fire does its job ..at least that's my "happy ending" ..with the caveat (if you please) fires can get way out of control ...lots to think about
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like your insights to this, E. appreciate where you took it...thank you.

j.

[An owl on the moon]

Your thoughts bring about such a sense of this autumn season, with cooler weather, warming fires, and the bittersweet glimpses of the world beginning to fall asleep. When I walk in the morning, the hillsides all around me are covered in hay, in cows, and mist, and your words would speak a hush over them I'm sure.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

your poetic reply is better than the poem..thank you, C.

j.

[FJ Davis]

The small, independent farmer is being starved out and eaten up by huge, government-subsidized combines.
In a sense, the federal government is "anointing" national farmers.
Your perceived cynicism is warranted, Jacob.
Meaningful piece!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i really appreciate your insightful words, Outcast..

thank you

j.

[Tom]

A closed mind tends to shut out daylight and remains ever pessimistic and insular in outlook. Society beware !

A ' glass half empty is a glass half full to another... pertinently penned Jacob !

,

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Tom,

j.

[emmajoy]

Modern life and its terrible consequences is more than cruel. Long time skills disappear into a squelch of tears. experience destroyed for more than a myriad of reasons. Along with all their down-to-earth knowledge, decent human beings, their way of life, their surroundings, fade into hopeless obscurity. And what remains is called 'a civilised society'. Meantime, others sit back, happy in their sugar-sweet lives, either oblivious or aware but hopeful that their pretty little lives will improve. To coin a phrase, 'Oh yeah?!'

Whether or not my interpretation of your sensitive and finely phrased thoughts is correct, i find it more than moving. It happens.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i really appreciate your insights into this poem....you make me see things in my own work..and it is both startling and encouraging...

j.