six-toed cats and that cycle of madness

inspired by Kelly's Hemingway poem

   

2 min ago

six-toed cats and that cycle of madness

and then it was over,

the final bullet

in a Russian roulette battle with 

wordless steel pressed to head

and worthless pen pressed to paper

empty chambers of metaphors

stillborn,

the blanks, sovereign deity

his cover closed

the bookmark with powder burns

pages that wanted to hear the shots

the explosion

but he rests by his headstone

leaning against the silence

that screams in his head,

foregone conclusions

his sounds are done

his words holstered

Wyatt Earp was never wounded

Hemingway died in his own OK Corral

screaming short prose

into the afternoon breath

but never really exhaling

a written thought.

erin-cilberto

4/20/17

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Touching tribute to Papa H. Well-Portrayed tragic hero. Hubris. A genius soul released from suffering. We hear the gunshot echoing the end. Great poem.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

he is one of my favorites..."less is more"

thank you for your words, Annette.
j.

[barleygirl]

Amazing story-telling in verse, with vivid sequences of description & action woven thru-out! As always, your extended metaphor is nicely drawn out like a series of movie scenes. Great job!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, barleygirl.
j.

[.]

A very interesting write, Jacob.

As quite a Hemingway fan myself, i thought your words were spot on in illustrating those final possible hours of his life, where the scourge and mental deterioration of hemochromatosis must have seemed like complete agony for someone who lived by the ability to create with the written word. It must have been sheer hell to not be able to write any more words on the page after a lifetime of doing it easily. And to take his own life must have been the only way out he could see. A tragic ending.

As always, your poem is extremely well worded with excellent use of imagery and metaphor. Another fine addition to your burgeoning poetic cabinet.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Doodley.
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

somber close so fitting .. i read this and had to go to Kelly's poem and then to learn more about Hemingway before coming back to re-read this .. sure admire your metaphors always and there are plenty in this one ..all so dynamic .. drawing stark scenes and wringing compassion out of me for such a horrible state ..where words swirl and one can never quite pin them ..place and order or heart to them .. and then we die ..damn ..i think also of all the dementia that afflicts and robs so many of their words ..poets or no :{ beautifully done sir! that's what i think
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind words, E.
j.

[Alfred Kukitz]

It reminded me of a scene where two actors play Russian roulette in Vietnam.
This is great stuff Jacob; I am awed!

regards,
al

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ah yes, Christopher Walken was one of them..Deer Hunter.
thank you, Al, appreciate your words.
j.

[Alfred Kukitz]

DiNero was the other guy!

[B]

A very beautiful write
The death of the word
it seems ever so devestating than just the mere death of a man
This is a very well done piece

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, ..
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Inspired indeed by both Kelly and Hemmingway you have brought all your metaphoric prowess to this one Jacob. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, John...the credit really does go to Kelly and Ernest...
j.

[Michael Oliver]

A lot to take in and feel here Jacob - I will have to have a ponder - a little madness every day is good for us I think

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Michael.
j.

[Cryingkate]

Well now.. I was very concerned this morning when I didn't see the feed filled with your name either replying reviews or doing them. Then low behold I found you with a bang... Love the rhythm first. It kept me on the edge of madness with you. I am just so glad to find you alive after being gone so long and then my jaws are too heavy to lift when asking why this poem I read first after finding you among the living.,, Yes morbid thought? not really.. I have that cycle surrounding me this last year. with so many of my most favorites. Synche !

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Connie..
j.

[Kelly Scheppers]

"Hemingway died in his own OK Corral" ...no truer words could be spoken.

Much applause, Jacob! ...the mention of the six-toed cats gave me a smile! Thank you!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for the inspiration to write this one...i hadn't written in several days...gratias.

j.

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's amazing how we can inspire each other here - I assure you, I am equally as thankful - and proud!