Presence

Presence

the smell of plastic pine

simulated cones on rubber Wreaths

white blank bulbs pulsating with light

Angels baffled at the sight

shepherds in confusion

follow neon stars

deep into a city night

a jolly old man

mugged in Central Park

someone said his name was Nicholas

his stolen sled a new statistic

it's the eve of the day

reindeer splattered on the highway

trying to hitch rides

to yesterday's holiday

because today there is no heart

merchandising too much a part

of what once was a First Noel

but now has turned from a Midnight Clear

to a world of fear

as the Drummer Boy's beats

get slow and heavy

and two feral elves

pass by a burnt-out Chevy

some charred Christmas wrapping

and a baby in a cardboard manger

fearing for his life.

erin-cilberto

12/23/19

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

as the Drummer Boy's beats
get slow and heavy
and two feral elves

pass by a burnt-out Chevy

Absolutely fantastic lines. Unfortunately, Christmas is so commercialized now. I think some people don't even know what the holiday means. Goodwill toward men lasts for one day.....and then it's back to the old routine. Very sad. If Santa really came down chimneys, he would probably be shot. Excellent write here, Jacob. Merry Christmas to you...which seems like the wrong thing to say after this review! Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh geez, good point...he probably would be shot.
so much fear and mistrust these days...
read moreoh geez, good point...he probably would be shot.
so much fear and mistrust these days...
Santa might be doing drive-by shootings from his sled.
thank you, Lydi.
j.

[Gee]

Just about sums up Christmas, or the world that is portrayed in the media these days.
Surely there must be much more good than bad in the world Jacob.
Loved this
Merry Christmas Jacob, hope you have a great day :))

[jacob erin-cilberto]

let us hope there is...thank you for your words, Gee...and Merry Christmas to you as well.
j.

[John the Baptist]

When Santa applies for a concealed carry permit, you know we're in trouble.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

geez, John...it sure does feel like that might happen one of these days soon.
think he would be able to get one?

[John the Baptist]

Good question. A guy who runs around in a red suit and wriggles down chimneys might be denied for mental health reasons.

[DIVYA]

And we still can't think beyond our own Christmas trees and over-decorated homes...beautifully written...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, DIVYA,
j.

[Ken Simm.]

Have yourself a merry little christmas. This is what we have, ho, ho ,ho. I wonder if cretain leaders will get ghosts visiting tomorrow night?

[jacob erin-cilberto]

damn, i love that theory, Ken..
there would be a lot of ghosts working overtime...
thank you for your Holly Jolly visit.
j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

do you do much riding? that is a beautiful creature in the picture.
j.

[Ken Simm.]

Had to let him go down to England and my daughter Jacob. He was too fine and not flourishing up here in the highlands. I do miss him however. I pulled him out of his Mother nearly 11 years ago now. I did ride him a lot and his Mother but my legs won't let me any more.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

absolutely beautiful...and glad you had gotten to ride him...bet he misses you as well. Animals love without games or reserve...just an honest affection for their owners.

[Ken Simm.]

Don't know about Mooey. His name is dutch it means beautiful but my two dogs. Yes unreserved love. Moo if he had another brain cell he would double his capacity. Beautiful but not the sharpest. A lovely temprament nontheless. I can't help but think sometimes, some village is missing an idiot.

[Chris Shaw]

There are presents and presence and what I know as I grow older is that the true meaning of Christmas is lost. Gone forever. It has become a commercial exercise which starts earlier and earlier each year. Expectations are high, and parents want to please their offspring. Presents get more and more expensive and how difficult that becomes for those on low incomes. I remember a time where I was thrilled to get a paint box and I spent the whole of Christmas painting nativity scenes. I wanted to bring the presence of the Lord into my home. Yes in those days I truly believed. Nowadays we would do well to remember the less fortunate at Christmas. Think of others and show some goodwill.

When I read your lines my heart sank at the contrast of what was and what now is. Depressing, but so true, particularly in our cities.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your understanding and compassionate words, Chris.
those days are gone...just memories now...
just memories. and lost stars.
j.

[Attentive_Ambience]

The first thought that popped into my mind was "new age poetry" which is truly a reflection of the times. I found myself enamored by the comparisons between what is and once was. You've created a piece that is at once both tangible and intangible by contrast. Maybe France was onto something with the telling of Krampus.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, AA...
j.

[redzone]

I hear you Jacob, see the wounds and the heart-aches of a cruel world... your words, necessary and urgent tear off the cover of the façade of "joy to the world, goodwill toward men".... I am not a believer in any gods, nor in immaculate conception.... but the world does not have to be this way, the needed charities mentioned below by Dale and you show how we could organize society differently.... there is no shortage of resources or people to solve these difficulties.... but there is a shortage of the understanding and willingness to do what needs to be done.... and this I think is what makes the madness so hard to take and so openly raw...

Jacob your poem is a manifesto of sorts and one that we need to listen to and heed... thank you for writing it...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Curt....love your understanding of the missing Goodwill toward men.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

We have seen good and bad places. I went to Africa on food, water and medicine missions in the nineties. I learn. My life, not so hard. Here in Michigan. Many good charities helping the poor. In our world, sameness is still alive. Rich people getting richer and the poor. Forgotten. A wonderful realism poem. Thank you Jacob for sharing your amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, and thank God for those charities...bringing back some of the real meaning of the season.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

The charities are needed and you are welcome Jacob.

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Amazing and true...deep out of the heart of you...when we look deeper we see what’s true...just wonderful as always...🌹half ppl celebrating without knowing or caring about the meaning..,no belief ....sad but true...🌹

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Kelly...
j.

[‘Thoughts In Time’🌹]

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹