meanings on a clear morning

 

meanings on a clear morning

 

 

 

familiar poets

vague verse

still arrives on the tip of tongue

breathing incessant rhymes

 

commencing to lose their way

I ask directions

they tell me,

but I forget to write them down

 

innocents find bombs in their pantries

shards of canned goods,

children's wings

the house moved to the next block

 

the next century

Peace is a taxi

waiting out front

the driver is reading Emily Dickinson's

"Because I could not Stop for Death"

 

the meter is running

the street is empty

no little voices

the hack recites aloud

his voice echoes sadly

 

familiar poets are pages

ripped from their lives

the King sits on his illicit throne

a ruler of jigsaw puzzles

so many pieces missing from the box.

 

"tis centuries till then."

 

 

erin-cilberto

3/26/23

Reviews

[FGFRANKLIN]

This was sort of a conundrum but not a humdrum one. "Familiar poets" eh? St. Augustine is contributed with saying, "familiarity breeds contempt" but what I interpret that as is, "don't get fresh" I've heard that a few times stated just that succinctly. If this refers to some recent tragedy I'm sorry but I couldn't make any connection. Lots of death in the world but then I suspect there always has been. We just hear about it more instantly since the advent of the internet. People will say "peace, peace" when there is no peace...that's what the prophet Jeremiah wrote about 2500 years ago. It was true in the sixties and still holds true today. That is most certainly a "familiar" theme. I wish I had more insight into the intent here but I enjoyed the read, regardless.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and some leaders with no regard to human life...one sits on his throne right now dropping bombs...read moreand some leaders with no regard to human life...one sits on his throne right now dropping bombs...
thank you, Fabian,
j.

[FGFRANKLIN]

Putin is no king. He's just an ex KGB thug without Nazi jackboots. But he's signed his own death warrant by this invasion and he's stupid if he doesn't realize it yet. I honestly gave him credit for more smarts. I guess narcissistic greed overrides common sense.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

absolutely true...he just thinks he is.
but as Fleetwood Mac sang..."he better put his kingdom up for sale"---

[andrew mitchell]

Missing pieces certainly applies to America, that constitutional amendment that allows you the right to carry or bear arms and shoot nine year old children certainly tells you the fabric of your country and where it is going , 419 children shot dead in 3 months and that’s not counting adults. And it’s always the white man causing the problems. They introduced slavery and in the process became racist. You never hear of the American Indians having big fortifications holding criminals ie prisons, drug taking and manufacturing , or Indians shooting little Indians throughout their history and legends. Always white man! Sorry J wandered off the grid. Excellent piece of writing as always. At least with tragedy there will be poets if they can live long enough dodging bullets.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i totally get it, andrew, and I appreciate your words.
j.

[DIVYA]

"so many pieces missing from the box"

And the poets will always feel the voids keenly. They have a keener eye for truth and the myriad of ways in which it gets twisted and mocked.

I loved this very layered and beautiful poem.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for appreciating this piece---not an easy write...I get tired of writing about the tragedies in the world...they just keep piling up.
j.

[DIVYA]

Indeed, its endless...

[Corset]

I love this stanza "the next century
Peace is a taxi
waiting out front
the driver is reading Emily Dickinson's
"Because I could not Stop for Death"

Brilliant, as in if he is waiting for peace one assumes there is peace after death but there are theories in abundance that life is just beginning in service to/in another dimension, with no rest for the un-wicked. Is that a word unwicked? Non-wicked? :D

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like "unwicked"....word or not.
not sure it is, but let's make it one.
thank you, Corset,
j.

[Dennis Wolf]

So, what's a king without subjects?

Just a thought.

Cheers on another great piece.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Dennis.
j.

[Dennis Wolf]

Sure thing. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Every new morning, everyday people and dissatisfied poets look on the world through glasses of many shades and various degrees of clarity.

In centuries from now the same will be happening. There is nothing special about us.

Peace is a five letter word of good intentions.

It has all been said and done before.

Dear J, you always send me on a trip. I thank you for those meanderings into poetry.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

mine are no longer rose colored, but my heart tries to stay that way.
thank you for meandering into my "whatever," Chris.
j.

[Lorry]

It doesn't matter how clear those mornings get Jacob, they don't always bring the same clarity to the poets, or anyone else for that matter. But thankfully, sometimes they do.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

at least, sometimes....thank you, Lorry,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

Same day, same channel. Life seems to fall into place Jacob.
"familiar poets are pages
ripped from their lives
the King sits on his illicit throne
a ruler of jigsaw puzzles
so many pieces missing from the box"
I loved the above lines. We do become part of a puzzle. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Coyote,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Jacob.

[wu]

“If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” —Emily Dickinson
Off with my head!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

That is one of my favorite quotes by her.
and she is my favorite poet.
thanks, M.
read moreThat is one of my favorite quotes by her.
and she is my favorite poet.
thanks, M.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Life goes on, time passes, decades, centuries but poets still verse their rhymes (although some can't remember their thoughts) through all of these changes..wars, progress, peacetime, then silence... and yet then those "familiar poets'" writing later in time"ripped from their pages, and to put it back would be like delving into a jigsaw puzzle.....it gets pretty awful if the cab driver is reading Emily Dickinson!
Best, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your insights, Betty...I learn from you.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

But mostly, I learn form you J.
And you're very welcome. I'm flattered!
Best, B