Somewhere in 1962

Somewhere in 1962

 

 

burning crosses in December yards,

morbid Christmas decorations

 

and White wreaths on the right doors

the moon hides, it's a black night for sledding

the presents are scattered diversions

for the hatred across towns

 

there are hanging trees

no holly, no embracing, peace on earth

not there,

not then

not when

 

people are wrapped up in their own bigotry

ribbons of judgment,

incontinence of slander

 

put an angel on top of the tree,

but make sure it looks like the snow outside

 

a blanket of purity

concealing the darkness underneath.

 

 

erin-cilberto

12/21/15

Reviews

[Beccy]

Jacob; Eighteen months or so ago, just prior to my son's eighth birthday, he and I made a list of his classmates and other children he wanted to invite to his party, I knew most of the names, but got stuck on a few, particularly a girl named Jessica, who I simply couldn't place.

'Jessica is pretty,' Charlie told me, 'and she likes me and has nice teeth, she's in year five.'

That was good enough for me, so out went the invite. On the day of the party, along came Jessica with her mum, a lovely child, her parent's originally from Barbados, but now living in the UK. How wonderful I thought that Charlie chose to describe the girl as having nice teeth; the colour of her skin clearly being entirely irrelevant to an innocent eight year old.

We have much to learn from our children and I can't help wondering how the world will be in 2062.

Beccy.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i am somewhat afraid of what the world would be like in that year...but won't be around for it...read morei am somewhat afraid of what the world would be like in that year...but won't be around for it...

i really love your story, Beccy...it warms the soul...

j.

[David Scott]

Has anything really changed?
We still use the innocence of life to "hang" our agendas. We brainwash children so we can control them before they know how to think...
We whitewash morality until everything looks like a blanketed field of snow.
Dark and powerful.
You have a sharp sword when you use it to trim off a bit of truth from the roast of what we pretend is culture.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

your comments are as metaphorically engaging as your poems...thank you for your kind words on my poems, my friend....yes, 'trimming the truth from the roast" and yet it is still too fatty..

j.

[David Scott]

Inspiration follows inspiration. Like flowers blossoming along the reaching vines fragrant friendships.
I'm in a mood. Ha.

[Kelsey Ann]

I love this poem!!! So sad that this is a part of our nation's history, but at least we can learn from it :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Kelsey Ann...

j.

[dan]

jacob, I was only 5 in '62, so I'm not conversant of the year's events and discord. I feel that you are talking about the racial divides, the Civil Rights movement...America heading toward change, even if it was only superficial at the time, and still exists today...but not talked about as loudly...PC, you know. The way you wind this subject around a Christmas theme is priceless. I'm saving this one into my library favorites, so thank you for that! take care...dan

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your very kind words, and insights, dan.

j.

[dan]

I actually forgot to save your piece to my library favorites when I reviewed it. I just did so now. This piece is a real keeper, so thank you for that. take care...dan

[andrew mitchell]

I haven't a Klu Klux Klan about this one Jacob but it has two faces!!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

as do many people...thank you, andrew.

j.

[Coyote Poetry]

I remember those days.
"a blanket of purity
concealing the darkness underneath."
They are not so far away. Change is never easy. Some folks did not change. Thank you my friend for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Coyote...

j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[V]

I really like this one, too. The image, the mood, the words, everything fits perfectly. One can really read/see that you are an experienced writer. I'm always looking for good poetry.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you again, for your kind review, mimi...

i am going to revisit your page....i found much talent in what i read.

j.

[V]

Oh thanks so much :) I'm only here when I find some spare time and I might not frequently comment on reviews, but I appreciate all of them.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Many think that the hate, prejudice and senseless violence are a new thing... little do they know it has been since mankind was born.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, it has...thank you, Dale...

j.

[cloud]

Demonstrated hatred can hang like a pall over a society no matter what the distance of civil war. The year you mention is the year I was born. Like an elephant in the room, occurrences of hate leave marks that are hard to easily erase. I guess that's the idea for those that perpetrate it. Had there been separate planets for different ethnic groups to inhabit, maybe the bigots would be happier, though I have my doubts that they would live in harmony. Just a guess.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and there are many elephants still around these days....thank you for your words, Hijacker.

j.

[cloud]

It's an honor sir.

[William Gardner]

I like the choice of the setting here and the point. There is such a large streak of support rising up lately for bigotry and hatred- An ongoing call to take the country back, whatever that means. This poem spiritually pushes back. Thank you for that, we could use some more of it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, William...

j.