it was a novel idea

it was a novel idea

 

 

the great white whale of hope

a society of Ahab’s

abandoning the hunt

 

Moby Dick is a ghost

of peace,

a mammal of persistence 

that quit swimming towards the sun

 

the ship of fools

capsized in friction

the crew mutinied

the captain left flummoxed

 

there are no waves of togetherness

hope harpooned

retaliates

the storm brews

in malignant light

 

then, just still waters

none of us are left aboard

a world if indifference

 

a silhouette

in moonlight

swims away

 

the prey becomes the hunter

call me silence.

 

 

erin-cilberto

2/6/22

Reviews

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

I was captivated by your powerful poem. It has depth on so many levels.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Dale,
j.

[Kim S.]

Now this is one amazing piece here, I like the depth in this, it is intriguing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, beckie,
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

and what a novel to draw from, jacob! i remember it as the first novel i read with enthusiasm and never missed the movie on TV .. i read Divya's death senryu, Fran's Death Dream and now this apocalyptic hunting trip ... really like V1 .. a novel idea ;) .. Ahab abandons the hunt .. the closing is bone chilling to me .. it's that silence ... that death like silence after the storm .. lots of inuendo .. mostly i think of the covid whale ... going about as it pleases no matter ... earth a most certain frenzied mix of not knowing much at all really .... this too will pass eh ... but the whale will have his Ahab lashed forever .. prowling about parts unknown perhaps ... fine read for me as always my friend
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am so glad I could pull something decent off with this, E. using a novel that I absolutely hated with a passion....loved the film, just not melville's writing.
thank you for your kind review...
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha ..that's so funny :)))))))))))))))))))) yes .. the movie were blossoming back then weren't they?

[Patricia Wedel]

Call me Silence… my Heart 💜 has been Harpooned… I follow the Sun and Love the Moon..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Pat,
j.

[Unspoken poet]

the ship of fools
capsized in friction
the crew mutinied
the captain left flummoxed

I really like this part, This is so amazing. you had me captivated with this write

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Unspoken poet.

[M. J. Smith]

I remember an English teacher who made us watch the Gregory Peck film. The whale thrashing, Ahab dead, tied to the Beast, and that beckoning arm...
I had nightmares for a week! Me, who grew up watching horror films, telling ghost stories! And yet, Ahab's terrible authority reaching from beyond the grave haunts me still.
But I digress. Hope as a white whale... Interesting image. But as a society, even old Ahab would abandon us. The gates of Hell read: Abandon hope, all ye who enter here. And it is Mankind which willingly makes the Faustian bargain. Poets are just a voice crying in the wilderness.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I appreciate your response to this piece, Thank you,
M.J.
j.

[M. J. Smith]

I apologise for the rambling response. Once a crusader always a crusader. Still trying to change the world, I guess. Don't take it personal. You are a wonderful and wise poet. I love reading your work.

[ms. barrie]

incredibly unique spin on this world renowned story...
the imagery you spill brilliantly evokes empathy in such
a poetic way.
for the so called antagonist...the third and fourth stanza
for me, personally seems to be a cynical bite upon the selfish
indifference upon today’s society. either way,
this is again, just brilliant.

thank you for sharing ~ x

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you are so insightful, dear poet,
thank you for your understanding review.

[ms. barrie]

you’re most welcomed, dear poet :)