In the end, just a synonym

In the end, just a synonym

 

 

 

aloof poets

fancy schmancy magazines

with brilliant reviews

almost in English that is understandable

 

oh those metaphors packed into one line

enough for three poems at once

digestible if there are days before

reading the next indention of

excruciating effort

 

aloof poets

acrobats performing

high wire acts

way above the heads

of the simple patrons

who pay extravagant prices

to secure these New Yorker privileges 

of membership

 

oh, and the Such and Such review

sits on a shining shelf

of comfort

My work consorts with the other geniuses 

who write up to our standards

 

put me in your anthology

and I will triple its worth

after all I am one of the

aloof poets

and I dream,

I dream

 

of only myself

and the critical acclaim

achieved

when they publish me

 

as The Collected Works

of the Aloof Poet

who gave his life to his craft

and sold his pen to the devil

to frame his fame 

on the pages

of his indifferent life.

 

 

erin-cilberto

12/30/21 

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

I’m just an average writer trying to hook a reader to review before it fades into obscurity and I do like this write not sure what it really means but it has a Tabasco flavour.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ah yes, please pass those Buffalo Wings.
thank you, andrew
j.

[.]

Wooooo. I sense some serious indignation in this poem, Jacob. Not being a subscriber to any literary magazines, I can't really comment on what they contain. Though I do suspect they are full of hoity toity types gloating over each other's published poems that read overly intellectual and are not palatable for the average poetry reader. It's interesting that many aspire to be published by such magazines, yet loathe the content that they contain. I think i'll just save my euros for something that gives me more pleasure. A biting piece here, Jacob. ⚘

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, and many editors like to think they are hoity toity and play with the esteem of poets just for fun.
Thank you for your understanding words, Jamila,
I will go back to my New Yorker now...just kidding.
j.