where have all the epic poems gone?

where have all the epic poems gone?

A Poem by jacob erin-cilberto

where have all the epic poems gone?


the short poem
sat in the home,
pondering of when it was longer
more metaphoric,
deeper,

now it tries so hard 
to remember most of the words 
it once held in its iambic fingers
the heart beat has slowed
the rhythm losing its mind

the nurses feed him syllables
hold the thesaurus in front of him
he says he's cold,
feels the chill of obscure cadence
the clarity of stanza
flowing into some misfit wind of memory

the short poem
reaches for its blanket logic
but his fingers are too arthritic
to stretch toward the keys

and his talent is like a carriage
on an old typewriter too rusted
to return to the margins...


erin-cilberto
2/11/17

© 2017 jacob erin-cilberto


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Reviews

They left with the rotary dail.

Posted 7 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

7 Years Ago

yes...thank you, Cory.
j.
This is GREAT, Jacob! :)
Going in my favorites


Posted 7 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

7 Years Ago

thank you, mattavelli.

j.
Thought provoking!! I really miss reading the old poems which has given so many emotions and experience

Posted 7 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

7 Years Ago

thank you, Aishwarya...
j.
We need to take time for the old as we accept the new. I prefer the old time sound when read out loud, but we were here before cell phones and computers. Valentine

Posted 7 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

7 Years Ago

yes, we were....i remember those wonderful days...days when we actually wrote letters, and looked fo.. read more
I was told years ago my friend. Johnnie, your epic poetry would be amazing 500 years ago. Today people want quick and fast everything. I love the epic poetry. The ancient writers I read when I can. Thank you Jacob for sharing your amazing words and thoughts.
Coyote

Posted 7 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

7 Years Ago

yes, instant gratification....thank you for your words, Coyote.
Coyote Poetry

7 Years Ago

You are welcome Jacob.
Like this too, ballads, epic poetry from the 19th century , Militonic verse has been pushed into the background of academia ! Good write.

Posted 7 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

7 Years Ago

thank you, Leslie.
j.
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.
An excellent poem, Jacob!

Brilliant use of metaphor to illustrate the death of poesy; what was once as effortless and free flowing as a river of words, is now dying in its modern twilight. No more are the great poems of old, epic in scale in theme, produced as much as they deserve to be.

I appreciate this piece very much. Perhaps a metaphor for the poet? Either way, those synapses are still firing as poetically as ever.

Very well done!

Posted 7 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

7 Years Ago

thank you for your kind review, Doodley...
j.
the short poem
reaches for its blanket logic
but his fingers are too arthritic
to stretch toward the keys

Truly, where have the words gone? Maybe, poets feel pressed for time. Or maybe no one has the patience to read through soulfully long poetry any more. Its the era of fast food, instant messaging, short poetry!

Posted 7 Years Ago


jacob erin-cilberto

7 Years Ago

your response is prodding me...you may see a four pager on here in a few days...:)))

.. read more
DIVYA

7 Years Ago

You are welcome Jacob :)))

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1001 Views
30 Reviews
Rating
Shelved in 5 Libraries
Added on February 14, 2017
Last Updated on February 14, 2017

Author

jacob erin-cilberto
jacob erin-cilberto

Carbondale, IL



About
Originally from Bronx, NY, I live in Carbondale, Illinois...teach English at a community college and have been writing and publishing poetry since 1970. I am here to read for inspiration from other po.. more..

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