poeming gray

poeming gray 

 

 

a very old man

an ancient typewriter

on a dusty desk at dusk

his eyes are bad,

the ribbon is fading

around his neck

he feels the compression

words choking his vanity

 

he was once a great writer

published thousands of poems

dozens of books,

he was a best seller

gave readings in smoky coffee houses

 

was likened to Dylan

to Ferlinghetti

to all of his heroes

and he was one of theirs

 

and then he got very old

and his instrument got very old

and his desk lost its balance

and even his spectacles 

could not help him find his words

someone bought him a new ribbon

but he needed new fingers

a new mind

"less is more" they always said

 

but "none is unbearable" he thought

as he raised the gun

and finally started to type.

 

 

erin-cilberto

8/17/2020

Reviews

[Ted Kniffen]

A brilliant rendition dealing with age and perhaps a touch of writers block. There are elements to this that ring true for some of us older writers ... the eyes fade ... the fingers tightened with arthritis (know that one quite well) and in the end there are two ways to deal with it ... work though it or check out.

There is much Hemingway to this story j.
I like it very much.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Ted, I love Hemingway.
j.

[redzone]

I think "less is more" only to those who don't have more to give, or as a way to rationalize losing abilities... getting old sucks donkey turds, especially when you realize that there are fewer words and they begin to all sound like the same poem, echoing off in the wilderness.... the gut wrenching sadness comes I think when we do shoot the old typewriter rather than pass it on to some young one who adds you to the list of those poets who inspired them... Dylan, ee, Plath, Jacob...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I often start feeling like all my poems start sounding the same...thank you for your words, Curt.read moreI often start feeling like all my poems start sounding the same...thank you for your words, Curt.
j.