where have all the epic poems gone?

where have all the epic poems gone?

the short poem

sat in the home,

pondering of when it was longer

more metaphoric,

deeper,

now it tries so hard 

to remember most of the words 

it once held in its iambic fingers

the heart beat has slowed

the rhythm losing its mind

the nurses feed him syllables

hold the thesaurus in front of him

he says he's cold,

feels the chill of obscure cadence

the clarity of stanza

flowing into some misfit wind of memory

the short poem

reaches for its blanket logic

but his fingers are too arthritic

to stretch toward the keys

and his talent is like a carriage

on an old typewriter too rusted

to return to the margins...

erin-cilberto

2/11/17

Reviews

[Cory Barrett]

They left with the rotary dail.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes...thank you, Cory.
j.

[mattavelli]

This is GREAT, Jacob! :)
Going in my favorites

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, mattavelli.

j.

[Aishwarya Prem]

Thought provoking!! I really miss reading the old poems which has given so many emotions and experience

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Aishwarya...
j.

[Valentine]

We need to take time for the old as we accept the new. I prefer the old time sound when read out loud, but we were here before cell phones and computers. Valentine

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, we were....i remember those wonderful days...days when we actually wrote letters, and looked forward to opening a real mailbox--

thank you, Kathie

j.

[Coyote Poetry]

I was told years ago my friend. Johnnie, your epic poetry would be amazing 500 years ago. Today people want quick and fast everything. I love the epic poetry. The ancient writers I read when I can. Thank you Jacob for sharing your amazing words and thoughts.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, instant gratification....thank you for your words, Coyote.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Jacob.

[Leslie Philibert]

Like this too, ballads, epic poetry from the 19th century , Militonic verse has been pushed into the background of academia ! Good write.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Leslie.
j.

[.]

An excellent poem, Jacob!

Brilliant use of metaphor to illustrate the death of poesy; what was once as effortless and free flowing as a river of words, is now dying in its modern twilight. No more are the great poems of old, epic in scale in theme, produced as much as they deserve to be.

I appreciate this piece very much. Perhaps a metaphor for the poet? Either way, those synapses are still firing as poetically as ever.

Very well done!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Doodley...
j.

[Ayvid N]

the short poem
reaches for its blanket logic
but his fingers are too arthritic
to stretch toward the keys

Truly, where have the words gone? Maybe, poets feel pressed for time. Or maybe no one has the patience to read through soulfully long poetry any more. Its the era of fast food, instant messaging, short poetry!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

your response is prodding me...you may see a four pager on here in a few days...:)))

thank you, DIVYA...

j.

[Ayvid N]

You are welcome Jacob :)))