A FINE AUTUMN DAY

they suck the life out
of the corpse-less dead
filling them with
lurid memorabilia
for the tourists
who walk among the tombstones
of this graveyard city.

from tragedy we gladly inherit
silver from the ole mint farm
to place on the mantel
of the patriotic.

ovine superstition
the poetry of numbers
suicide jacks and
jackson origami:
portents and prophesy
that feed the need to hate and rejoice.

grieving widows spew forth
tearful soliloquies clutching
their orphaned children's faces
on  the covers of magazines.

the voiceless mourners seek not
the velvet backdrop to act out their loss
as the rest enjoy the candlelit festivities
and commemorative stamps.

the looping footage proves
futile as a ghost
the real pain is forgotten
on a fine autumn day.

Reviews

[An owl on the moon]

What a brilliant darkness weaves its shadows through this day... the depth of imagery so clearly speaks of autumn's tones and hues... Amazing write.

[Leslie Philibert]

A fine, crtitcal poem about the transitory quality of mourning and the way grief can be exploited.Especially liked the last verse,looping footage is great.Good write.

[Allen Smuckler]

I am truly moved by this write..Mockingbird
I understand the angst and torment, this thing called life, can cause.
but, I think by the end, you really do see hope on that "fine autumn day" and realize
alas, I see...I finally see
our views on life and everyday living....must focus on the positive...embrace the smile and laughter around us...live each day to the fullest, and file all the garbage into the "don't sweat the small stuff" file...and remember" it's all small stuff".. "
Terrific write, MB
allen

[symmetryAsymmetry]

This is a very powerful message...but I don't think it can shake the deep roots of hypocrisy...human beings are incorrigible...whether they need redemption is another question, but they sure are incapable of it.
You have employed amazing references here that symbolise the rot of society and the flow is natural too... amazing poetry here.. :-)

PS- is this a general description or refers to some particular day in history, you know, something that became a public spectacle?...forgive me for my ignorance..