Realization

Realization

 

 

I remember slaughtering chickens in Vermont

early morning while the dew settled still

on the grass, and flowers kept tight lipped

as the fog blanketed the pastures

and those chickens lost their heads,

 

I also remember that misty autumn of youth

first kisses, losing my head,

and heart to virginity's disclosure

 

and signing the papers

the affidavit of adolescence

signature moments never repeated,

 

like gossip I really wanted to share

but too soon, I stopped running

and just keeled over into later years,

like those chickens with knee jerk reactions

 

to the separation....of conscience and body.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

11/3/15

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

headless chickens in Vermont .. quite the mix :) our youth ...oh yeh! how quickly and quietly it slips away ... also especially like that third verse .. intelligent and layered .. and that closing line sends a chill through these old bones ... guess we all have it coming right!? ;)
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, E.

j.

[emmajoy]

' .. signing the papers -- the affidavit of adolescence -- signature moments never repeated, .. '

What we're told, taught or expected to be and do when young is well and good until we realise that life's for the living and there's nobody as 'living' as blossoming youth! Mind you, youngsters could stupefy, fade in the bud like those headless chickens.. but no, generally they develop, become whatever .. then, sadly - when time's runs rather too slowly, they realise that what was just aint there any more: head invisibly detached, body a shell,. no key for the winding of. Perhaps.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful comments, emma....love the way you read poetry.

j.

[alifeacoustic]

Ah, those far off days of youth, in more ways than just the linear. From what we were to what life made us and all the question marks in between. A wonderfully evocative piece Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, alife..

j.

[...]

I never liked being a child. I was meant to be seen and not heard. Youth runs around like chickens with their heads cut off. I like my 40's. Time for me now and I can grow in wiser decisions and greater appreciations :) Trick is to not be poisoned by the past

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for sharing your thoughts, lynn...

j.

[Jimmy Yetts]

Tale of the Headless Chicken; I remember it well.
Perceptive metaphorical retelling!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Jimmy...

j.

[Lydia Shutter]

Hmmm...lots to ponder in this one. Not sure what papers were signed or if that was just metaphorical. I do believe, though, when passion takes over, conscience takes a hiatus. Knee jerk reactions are sometimes glorious deviations from the norm, but more often than not, they come back to bite us. Your poetry is consistently a pleasure to read, my friend. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, metaphorical papers of leaving youth...thank you for your kind words, Lydi

j.