i think the muse set me up

i think the muse set me up

 

 

i was arrested for assaulting a poem

groping the words

with fossilized fingers

it was putty in my hands

 

lethargic reaction at the time

but years later, allegations

my interpretation apparently misinterpreted

 

now i sit in a cell

a typewriter on an otherwise bare table

a plank bed

and a toilet

for my wasted paper 

to discreetly discard

 

i may spend five years in this dank joint

with nary a poem of my own to show for my time

in bars getting slurred syllables onto napkin grief

 

i was arrested for assaulting a poem

so many years ago, i hardly remember

 

anything i read, wrote

or even thought

before i blacked out

 

i think the muse set me up.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

12/14/19

Reviews

[Neville]

Mine has a habit of doing that to me jacob... tis such a relief to know ya not alone .. and nuthin lasts for ever, does it... those of us that play with words though do tend to feel the pain though...and thanks for reminding me... Seasons Best sir...
N.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review...you wouldn't happen to have a few extra bucks would you? I can't make the bail....ha ha.
thanks, Neville....seasons best to you as well.

[Neville]

just holla j and its yours..

[Chris Shaw]

We poets are all prisoners of our muse. Most of the time mine feeds me bread and water and I struggle to find freedom with my words. Every now and again, there is a chink of light streaming in to my cell. When that happens I am more than thankful and bathe in that glory. My muse is a cruel jailer Jacob, but I am grateful for the crumbs she brings my way. That's where you took me with your wonderful words.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

your muse is a terrible jailer...but obviously you know how to make crumbs flourish into excellent writing...
reading you i would never imagine your muse treats you like a cruel jailer.
j.

[redzone]

what is it about muses that always gets us in trouble... damn word tricksters, tempting us with their charms and then dumping us in some dank hell hole of misery.... stealing from us the words we search for and need to survive... it's a wonder there is any sanity left in the world... er… perhaps this explains the current state of affairs.... anyway, I don't think there is nor ever was or will be a poet who hasn't been set up by their muse.... sometimes when I think of my muse I am reminded of that line from Moby Dick, where Ahab is strapped to the side of the white whale saying, "I stabith thee for hates sake"... er.. ooops, well maybe that is my insanity coming out... but my muse started it.... sorry Jacob, I get carried away sometimes....

I like your poem Jacob, please don't judge me too harshly at where I went after reading it.... damn muse did it again... lol

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and never dropping us in a hole of happy...at least as far as trying to write poetry...i like your reference to Ahab...but you can just Call me Ishmael .....
i like where you took this...
j.

[DIVYA]

I really enjoyed this read Jacob. Your muse is on fire here. All seems forgiven.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, my friend,
j.

[adichie]

Hey there, Jacob! Your style is scintillating, as always. :):).

Such a shame to see yet another poet trundle down the wrong road.

I’m back, hopefully for a little while. We’ll see.

All the very best,

Deb

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Deb...good to see you back at the Cafe.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Jacob... my Muse expects so much from me... no sense running away ... I am addicted to being powdered with ideas that make me smile and hang them out to find their way into another’s heart. truly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and you produce for and with your muse, Pat...i love reading your writings, always.
j.

[Norman 223]

When Your muse can amuse in this way. I'd be happy to share this poetic prison with you, Jacob. Thanks for the laugh - I needed that on this freezing cold day.
N.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it's kind of nasty here as well, Norman...
thank you for your comment...
j.

[Jimmy Yetts]

A truly unjust occurrence when you consider how so many of the rest of us, regularly, "assault poems." Well, as my horse-thievin' great grandfather used to say, "Getting caught is the real crime."
We do, however, get the picture, you were framed--by your muse.
Aren't all inmates in Poet's Prison mere victims?
Still, you have concocted a most creative lie, which may, very well, earn you a pardon.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i just can't seem to tell the truth, Jimmy....so i probably don't deserve the pardon, but thank you...
j.