little fingers in a big city

 

little fingers in a big city

 

 

street corner strings plucked by begging fingers

the nails bitten down to skin,

raw skin against night chords

 

in the darkness he plays all the songs he knows

his guitar case glitters in the moonlight

of quarters and dimes and a rare silver dollar

 

his eyelids heavy from life

his shoes weary from walking against the traffic

cement beds and hopscotch skies

 

under which he blankets his fears of living,

his fears of dying,

his family abandoned him because of his crazy dreams

 

they can't hear what he plays now

they are states of mind away

borders clouded with severance pay

 

his lot 

is nowhere near their parking spot

and the indifference they show him

blisters his heart

as he writes in-congruent poetry

to go with the notes

 

he writes to himself

only in his mind

since he can't afford a writing implement

because all of his earnings

get drowned in a bottle of self-pity

 

and the only fame he achieves

is from the concerts he gives 

to the four or five patrons

who throw him change

and pretend their tickets

 

are precious souvenirs.... 

 

 

erin-cilberto

12/28/16

Reviews

[Robert]

I have only been a member for a couple of days, and so I am just poking around at any author that takes my fancy. Glad I dropped in on you.
I find that I have some trouble with the wording of some poets but this one came across as clear as a bell. Thank you my friend.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Robert.

j.

[Chris]

The more we lose our "innocence" the meaner this world becomes. The anger leaks til it flushes the kindness and "willing-to-help" from our spirit.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

so true, Chris.

thank you for your visit and words,
j.

[Valentine]

One of your very best writes. So true and happening on some street corner today. It seem we have become a throw away people nation. Not just abortions, but breathing humans too. Valentine

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i agree with you, Valentine..."the throw away people nation"---you express it so well in your phrase...thanks for your insightful words...

j.

[Shy Joe]

Wonderfuly done Jacob! Reminds me of the following your dreams or play to society's drum beat. It's hard when you choose love and get little in return. Thanks for sharing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Joe.

j.

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

His eyelids heavy from life
His shoes weary from walking against the traffic
Cement beds and hopscotch skies....has me undone. He sacrifices legitimacy for his belief...what ever that may be...he breathes life and passion every moment he preforms.....and we think he's dead at the first glance....but he walks among us....whole.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind and insightful review, Queenie..

j.