Rose

Rose

 

 

the music died,

the movement drained of life

vinyl cheers no longer saluted

we marched back to our homes

shut the door, drew the blinds

 

turned on the computer

and googled for peace

set the timer for a Facebook chat

Zoomed eloquently for something to believe in

but everyone on screen was tired

 

the momentum belonged to the establishment

the hippies cut their hair short

cut the protests short

joined the internet chaos

ideals lost in the fray

 

now we all sit in rolling chairs

rolling in dough

eaten up by a greed

that once couldn't touch a flower

but now grew thorns sharp enough

 

to cut love in two.

 

 

erin-cilberto

12/2/2021

Reviews

[JE Falcon]

This is a sound poem, full of demanding unknowns. But that is alright, it is you and only you know what you feel today. I may see it, and share it, but will never feel the same things.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

but if you share something similar when reading the poem, that is poetry at its finest.
thank you, JE.
j.

[William Michael Reeves]

This made me think of the rift technology has created. Everyone around the dinner table not talking, faces in their phones. Around the computer not listening...to music or each other. Modern life removing the need to motivate and activate. Powerful words!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and in restaurants as well...thank you, Bill...I appreciate your visits and your kind reviews.
j.

[Laz K.]

Perhaps we cannot change the world from the "outside in," but only from the "inside out," meaning if "I" change, the world changes - for me.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Think you are spot on with that, Laz. From the inside out is how it must be done.
j.

[John the Baptist]

All things pass, including youthful idealism. Few can protest at fever pitch eternally, and it's better that way. Those who strive to burn on usually burn out.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and many have burned out...thank you, John...always the philosopher you are...and a smart one at that.

[Relic]

"For the times they are a changin."

Yeah, marches are marched for a different reason now and the napalm has evaporated from the air but not from memory. I remember when songs really meant something and spoke for a generation that asked why, hoping to change things, to make things better.

These days, songs go to number one with a different kind of bullet.

Good one, J.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I hear ya, Relic, it is different now.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

Hot bullets and Cold bullets... they both kill the Spirit.
A flower grows in Brooklyn... reaches for Sunshine and
becomes a Rose. "Somewhere over the Rainbow... way up high... where troubles melt like Lemon Drops... that's where I'll find you... Be of Good Cheer... Christmas is near. Jacob... your poetry is Rare as a Summer day in December.
gently, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

those lemon drops taste good...and the lemon tree is very pretty, but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat...I remember Brooklyn...childhood memories of passing by Ebbets field on Friday afternoons.
thank you for always being so supportive...
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

I remember the first time I was taken to a Bar in Washington, D.C. and there was a Guy playing the Piano singing in Jamaican accent… Lemon Tree very pretty… It has been a long Sentimental Journey since then. Amen Pat

[Patricia]

Well ain’t that the truth! Got to admit I don’t do the marches anymore or take part in societal issues anymore. Getting old and hoping the young will take over except they are not, not like we did when we were young, I almost wish I could do that stuff over again…good times! Great poem, reminiscing now….

[jacob erin-cilberto]

They are not, Patricia...that movement died out with our generation....and whether it had any impact or not...that is still a question I ponder.
thank you, if we could do it over again, I would be right there with you.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thinking here of Don McClean. Bye bye Miss American Pie. What happened to the hippies, the peace movement and the love ins ? They turned into the very people that they were against back in the sixties. Yes, totally ironic. Carlos hit the nail on the head here J. Maybe that's the general rule of thumb. People grow up and they change. Maybe not always for the better.

Chris.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, changes aren't always for the better.
thanks for your words, Chris....you get it.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Incredibly insightful and truthful piece of poetry, J. To see the children of the peace revolution become the establishment they so railed against in their youth is truly haunting in irony. This is exactly the kind of poetry the world needs right now.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Had too many friends do that...sad.
thanks for your words, Carlos,
j.