the tweeting has started but the birds are all but gone

the tweeting has started but the birds are all but gone


the windows have the colors

of receding Maples

a congregation of waning parishioners 

sacrificing themselves to November winds

 

there is the flurry of prayers,

genuflections at half mast

like flags commemorating a dead society

we leave the confessional stunned by our own words

 

poetry is counted on rosaries

and we are under the thumb of a new Winter

one that might leave us permanently frozen---

no longer a promise of Spring

 

which may never come----

i leave the screens up

caressing what delusions of hope are left

but his face stares from the other side of the glass

 

and it's a TV image i can't shut off

even if i replace the batteries in the remote

say ten Our Fathers, five Hail Mary's

throw an act of contrition into the ballot box

 

into which i cast my Autumn sojourn

and hymnal containing the pressed leaves

representing the only thing i have left...

the Summer veins that mapped out 

a now diminished future.


erin-cilberto
11/22/16

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

The Catholicism with its threats of purgatory and praying against the Devil's hand seems most appropriate. If we could tweet our confessions instead of going to the confessional in church we would I guess.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, we probably would, John, you're right..

thank you for your words,
j.

[icelandicblue]

Twitler certainly seems to have ushered us into a most brutal winter. Unfortunately, the birds feeding most vigorously are truly are the most vulnerable. There are not enough novenas or acts of contrition in the world to save us I fear.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i hear ya, my friend...
thank you,

j.

[Lyn Anderson]

Ouch. This is such an amazing poem. Delicate and scathing all at once.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, KL...

j.

[Valentine]

I first thought of all of these people tweeting messages and not speaking any more face to face. About the ballot box, one vote I left empty. Valentine

[jacob erin-cilberto]

many left that one vote empty, Kathie...many did.

thank you for the read and comment,

j.

[Nessly]

This speaks of a future uncertain. I certainly hope we see another spring. Beautiful write, j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i certainly do too, Nessly...

thank you for your visit and your words.

j.

[Ted Kniffen]

Prayer may be the answer, but what is the question?
God, where are the politicians who'll work as hard for the people as they do at getting re-elected? There seems to be a major disconnect between politicians and the proletariat (otherwise known as the deplorables) and, as Dylan said, "the times they are achangin" Good write, j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

love Dylan....yes...thank you for your words, Ted.
j.

[barleygirl]

This is the first brilliant thing I've seen penned about this election season (i.e. winter) of our discontent. The title alone is worthy of framing. I love the way you've woven this feeling of a seemingly nuclear winter upon us, with the actual winter that's arrived sooner than usual around here, too. *brrrrrr!* Think I'll throw on another log.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, barleygirl.

j.

[Lydia Shutter]

So many people have fallen into a depression after the Presidential election. I think things will not be quite as bad as some think. However, it all remains to be seen. Your religious references are appropriate here....call me an optimist, but I still have those delusions of hope.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it too have those delusions, Lydi...my poems are merely commentary on the state of things--and what dreams may come, or not.

aye, there's the rub as Hamlet would say.

thank you,

j.

[andrew mitchell]

Will he be a devil in disguise as no longer can the She-devil serve. What will come, apart from autumn falls! Yes there was no Saint to vote for!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful words...yes, No Saint...well, maybe Drew Breeze.

j.

[Beccy]

History tells us that we turn inwards at our peril.

Unfortunately one man can make a difference. I give you as example, though in no way comparison, the 60 million souls who perished in WWII.

Beccy

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, hopefully never to that extent...but it will be a different time...we just have to wait and see.

j.