Retribution

as it speaks

More than a lost night

               heavy as old cloth,

               blind as an uncaged wind

rather a space where all the stars

               are lower than down,

               the moon drifts

               through arcs of frost.

The high masts along the road

               are crowned with sodium light,

               a cage like the edge of a prison,

               a string of cruel pearls.

This is how I suffer

               from that which I seek,

               alone in the changed dark.

A night-train passes, but at a distance. 

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

Watching the lights on the freeway, from a distance -- feeling alone -- desperate, wanting, but knowing that getting that thing may not be a good thing ... I always enjoy your writing.

[Coyote Song]

A fantastic poem. Such great word usage. It has a cold frosty feel to it, and it means business if it can.

[Tina Kline]

A dark dark place to be, trapped in a dark desire or need but never quite reading that place to raise your hand and strike. Such outstanding imagery in this. Your words are very spellbinding.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it's like life and hope, passing close, but not passing close enough to get on it...and just wandering further into the darkness...

i like "the changed dark"
"the edge of a prison"
"the stars lower than down"

damn, how do you do it...i wish i could write imagery like that...just amazing, my friend.

j.

[Leslie Philibert]

Dear Jacob, thanks for looking at this , and the kind words.I try and get down on paper impressions
that jump at me, almost without much thought. As ever, my best wishes.

[highonwords]

dark, wintry weather - cold - there is a disconnection between the world and the poetic subject - a resolution to get close - you could have hidden in your warm clothes

regards,
steph

[Leslie Philibert]

Thanks for looking at this, and I am always pleased when my work gets good reactions. Thanks !