when format is all we have

when format is all we have

 

 

scantily clad nouns

make for the barest reactions

when verbs are chasing after

 

and adjectives missed the bus

giving adverbs no work for the day

naked sentences wear grim expressions

 

and punctuation finds itself huddling 

on street corners, fingers wrapped around

prepositional bottles, swigging articles

to forget

 

why do titles matter in a world 

of abandoned theses

we could come up with a plan of development

to make things better.

 

but the essay will still not reach

the required wordage,

and those nouns will still shiver

even when the hottest conclusions

 

are reached.

 

 

erin-cilberto

9/27/18

Reviews

[CD Campbell]

Now you know why the back space button was created. It is the most used key on any keyboard. Better to be a noun than a verb.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and better to be a preposition than an adjective?

thanks for the smile, CD.
j.

[steppenwolf]

Oh boy. Did you write this poem just for me? I love this particular kind of writing, where inanimate items, i.e., parts of speech, are made human.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Leslie.
j.

[steppenwolf]

Reminds me of the first time I read your poems. Lots of Allan Ginsburg in there.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

And the carrots on the tempting string become only dangling participles that do not refer to any subject in particular. :) Loved this...having fun with English.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ha ha...thank you, Fabian.
j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Love this Jacob
Great work and words play

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Julie.
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

I have always enjoyed poetry personifying parts of speech. There is a back alley sensuality to this one....as if the words are living on skid row! There are times, the words evade us, but writing is essential. Good one. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Lydi.
j.

[Neville]

and where might one find the references for this somewhat seductive literary gem my friend...

I see you metaphor a spot of naked poetry appreciation after work Jacob my friend... well writ and true... N

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Neville.

j.

[Neville]

............my pleasure..

[.]

Great title, Jacob! Sometimes all we do have is the format but never the words....

I love the style of the metaphors used; describing the terms of language in an erotic, "lady of the night" way. Scantily clad nouns is a great line! One of many in this poem. And your line about the essay still not reaching the required wordage took me back to my own University days, trying to extend my own essays with somewhat unnecessary terms just to meet the word count.

Another great poem, Jacob. Infinitely impressive writing, as always.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Doodley.
j.

[Jimmy Yetts]

A metaphorical orgy!
Clever and perceptive, Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Jimmy.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

Writing. Always a challenge. You make the writing a interesting journey. Always a pleasure to read your work Jacob. Thank you for sharing your amazing words and thoughts.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Coyote.
j.

[andrew mitchell]

At the end of the day, no matter where you are be it inside a house or homeless, the language of thoughts speak in many tones. I liked the way you used the language to describe the daily grind of living.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, andrew.
j.