the scourge of words

the scourge of words

 

 

 

 

 

the Beats enjoyed freedom

from boundaries,

the confinement of rhymed edges

a backlog of iambic feet

pacing in unison to the same rhythmic

percussion

 

the Beats fled from the environment of stern

impediment

they grew wings

a feathered fallout

a disengaging  from the norm

 

and for awhile

they were locked out of the compound

the guards stood stern

at the gates

 

shunned as prodigals

rejected as lepers

 

they persisted

consisted of blank verse

but with full minds

scheming

dreaming 

of acceptance

 

soon the nest was expanded

doors opened widely

marching in choice

 

now the rules are rusted

adjusted

those who lust after words

find them as they will

invested in feeling

whether form partners with them

or not.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

12/8/22

Reviews

[W. Barrett Munn]

Yep, that was the first heave. I think everyone has heard Frost’s wry comment that free verse was like playing tennis without a net; I recently read a better description-it is like playing tennis with the net in constant motion. I think that was James Longenbach.
Enjoyed your take, too, Jacob

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Winston...I play lots of tennis, but usually with a net....not the same without....
but writing? who needs one then?

[carl]

Seems the "outcast" outlasted the blast and won inclusion at the last. But hope they are not now the best who champion less and lose the rest? don't think you did, by the way - The cadence - (rhythmic percussion) and the message (those who lust after words find them as they will) of this piece is amazingly good, thanks for the post, love it. - carl

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very poetic reply, carl,
j.

[Red Brick Keshner]

For me the mood and the theme often dictate how the poem turns. The first line usually as with thirst and hunger opens up the floodgates. Either way if contrived won't result in a satisfying process or end creation. The last stanza solidifies this conviction. It is about the words and the lust for them that bring on the investment leaving the form as an almost secondary concern! Love this!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

being a conduit, I don't really take credit for anything I write...I just can't...I don't know where the words come from...they just do.
I like what you say here, Red,
j.

[Ciara]

Applause 👏
Well done Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Ciara,
j.

[Scott Kris]

Love this. It’s like celebrations of your poetic genre.
Poetic fluidity. The cart takes the form of the vessel creating it.
Delightful read Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

If it weren't for the Beat, I never would have started writing...I owe my poetry birth to them.
read moreIf it weren't for the Beat, I never would have started writing...I owe my poetry birth to them.
thank you, Scott,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

They were brave. They were explorers and pushed the boundaries beyond the straight jacket and I for one am pleased they did. Variety is what we need, not more of the same. Great read J.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Appreciate your understanding words, Chris,
j.

[willweb]

The beats, makes me think of Maynard G. Krebbs. And you are right, they were despised, painted as freaks, pushed to the dark alleys of the creative world but still they persisted and open those doors, broke those rules so everyone could in one way or the other, be themselves, rules or not. Very cool Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Dobie Gillis...ha ha...I loved peeking into those dark alleys...they made me finally feel poetry.read moreDobie Gillis...ha ha...I loved peeking into those dark alleys...they made me finally feel poetry.
thank you, will,
j

[Sami Khalil]

An excellent poem on the liberation of form to accept and adopt the free flow of ideas, emotions, visions and so forth. I feel all those confinements sir Jacob when I write an English sonnet. I have to force myself to abide by certain things.
Wowzy wooooo.....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Sonnets take much skill, Sami...and I appreciate those who can write them and still maintain the depth of feeling.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and well said. You are welcome 😊.

[D]

Rules have truly fallen by the wayside. Those who lust after words use and discard them at will. It's not form that ever made poetry worthwhile. It's the wings in it. And these cannot stretch fully in the confines of form and rhythm. This is so beautifully written.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

although, I think form has its place and can be used wisely, and often is, I agree...Unless it is used naturally, we can stiffen poetry to the point of robbing it of much of the feeling.
thank you for your words, DIVYA,
j.

[D]

You are welcome. Loved the poem.