scavenger's candle

scavenger's candle

people die in sinister cabins

alone in a woods, they procured

dispatching loved ones

to be devoured by coyotes of longing

when realization,

like the call of the wolf

makes them howl at the midnight

of which they deprived themselves

with deadbolt attitude

keeping those who approach the door

at bay 

while baying in the dark

of that cabin.

erin-cilberto

6/4/23

Reviews

[light and ashes]

This just makes me think of carnality.
Maybe it is a need to break free that you have displayed here? I dont know.
I am unsure of this write.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like where you took this, Light...thank you for the thoughtful review.
j.

[light and ashes]

You are always welcome, j.

[Patricia Wedel]

I myself would prefer a Pyramid along the Nile... must have had a past Life.
Now I only have a fast Life... slipping away to an early Grave. Perhaps a Cave where
Lovers can play forever. softly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like that cave idea...thanks, Pat.
j.

[willweb]

This comes off as a plot from a poetic horror film, though I am not sure there is such a thing, but it looks like there could be now. Very creatively written but I will be honest...one of the first thoughts that came to mind is Marty Feldman and Gene Wolder riding in the carriage to the castle in Young Frankenstein when they hear a howl and Wilder says, "Werewolf?" And Feldman replies, "There." To which Wilder asks, "What?" And Feldman answers, "There, there wolf" while pointing into the fog.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ah yes...I remember that line...a movie all my friends loved and I hated. :)))
thanks, will,
j.

[FGFRANKLIN]

Sounds like a scene from Deliverance. Paddle faster, Bob, I hear banjo music! I guess if you live in the wilderness a deadbolt might not be a bad idea. My grandpa kept visitors at bay by saying, "State your name and business here." And those not offering a prompt reply might be shot. And he had this mean as hell cur dog named Spunk who growled at everybody, even grandpa. Grandpa would heave a stick of stove-wood at him and say, settle down Spunk. I was terrified of the old man with good reason as a child.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Sounds meaner even than my grandpa...geez.
It made me smile when I read this interpretation and what it reminded you of when I thought of the inspiration for it.
Thanks, Fabian.

[Lorry]

I moved from city life in 2017 and see a lot of myself in this tale.
I just left after it all got too much and found my own cabin in the woods and a far quieter life, of which I'm thankful.
But then covid came along and I realised that we had all been cut off and more recently, I'll health made me thankful that there were still those I trusted enough around me to help me through it and perhaps moving to the middle of nowhere wasn't the easiest thing to do when I'll and in need of medical attention... But now that I'm recovering, I am grateful to those srounf me and also grateful that I managed to leave the rat race behind... Even if I do howl at the moon occasionally 😊

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, I hear you. Solitude when we need it is one thing, but we do need people...can't survive completely alone even if we think we might.
thanks, Lorry,
j

[John the Baptist]

If this one is to be taken on the literal level, it conjures up visions of Ed Gein and his ilk. On a deeper level, though, we could be seeing a comment on the workings of the mind and how it exiles memories to the subconscious. The coyotes of longing might stand for regrets and the deadbolt attitudes could symbolize the rigid beliefs that birthed the pain. And yes, the coyotes will resist any attempts to probe that pain.

[Lisasview]

Again a wonderful use of metaphors...The real and the not real...
This is such a strange beginning and I am dying to know what you were thinking... My head goes crazy with "stuff" like this..
I picked your poem apart and found that
people die in sinister cabins
to be devoured by coyotes of longing
makes them howl at the midnight
keeping those who approach the door of the cabin...
So now I have even more ideas about what this could mean.
I really like it Jacob...
Lisa, in Spain

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Lisa, in Spain.
sometimes we just cut ourselves off from people we need to be closer to.
Just doesn't work in the long run.
thank you for your words, and for giving so much thought to this write.
j.

[Lisasview]

Good morning... 7:18 here in Spain,
You are most welcome.
I like your new Avatar...read moreGood morning... 7:18 here in Spain,
You are most welcome.
I like your new Avatar...
Lisa

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Lisa...it is a pic from Ryegate, Vermont, Fall of 1957...we used go there for six weeks in summer and then for Oct. 12th weekend. A place I still love so much.

[Lisasview]

Isn't that wonderful...to have those memories...and the fact that you still love it so much says it all...
Lisa. finishing up my day...and it was looooong

[Chris Shaw]

that cabin in the woods (I have one too)

inhabited with the ghosts of our past, all together reminding us of stuff (people) maybe, that sadden the heart. Keep the door shut. No room for more ghosts. Concentrate on the living.

coyotes of living ……. utterly brilliant J.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thanks Chris...a neverending story, this. As you know.
j.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Really nice, Jacob. A lot of Frost in this one with the poem acting as a stand in for the greater story.
That reminds me of something I am trying to get a grip on-how to write seriously about serious subject while taking writng seriously but not yourself.

No wonder poetry is so difficult.

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I never take myself seriously...with teaching it is the same...I take what I do very seriously, but me, no. And it makes for more fun in the classroom that way.
Yes, poetry can be difficult for many reasons...
I think there is a difference between those who write poetry and those who are poets...seems to be anyway.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! This was sad 😔 and realistic. It is like saying people holding on to straws when drowning; in this case death and grieve. Powerful imagery, splendid phraseology.
Beware of haunted cabins.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

grievances haunt...lost relationships hurt and haunt...
family that comes apart.
thank you, Sami,
j.

[Sami Khalil]

All true and well said. I agree wholeheartedly. Sad reality but true. You are welcome sir.
You have us as adopted family, say I the poets.