the melting pot boils over in arrogant rush

the melting pot boils over in arrogant rush

skinheads,

bone heads with smooth flesh

but jagged ideals

tattoos and pierced logic

hateful flags blowing in the wind of change

yet theirs don't flutter

with butterfly wings

they are ugly moths

eating through the fabric

of America.

erin-cilberto

8/12/17

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Yes- so on-point my friend! What happened in Charlottesville is tragic. Your poem highlights the dysfunction and polarization in today's world that are symptoms of a pervasive disease. Great contrasts and oppositional images-"smooth flesh but jagged ideals"..Always amazing metaphors-the last verse is a true summation and a sad one.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i know this may be a controversial piece, but i surely appreciate your kind review, Annette.
i am just so saddened that we have not learned, even this many years from the Civil Rights Movement that everyone is the same inside..
j.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I live 45 minutes from Charlottesville. While I don't agree with nor condone what happened, we are supposed to have freedom of speech in this country. The purpose of the rally was to protest the removal of statues, and they had a permit to do so. The Black Lives Matter and anti-protest protesters did not have a permit and should not have been there. This is a beautiful, quiet area; and the fact that people from outside an area can come in and create this kind of havoc is unconscionable, disgusting, and shameful.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

true, we are supposed to...different behaviors and reactions can be just as bad as one another---So sorry that the shameful behavior has come so close to you, Linda.
j.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i appreciate your words, Linda....you give a close and clear perspective of what is actually going on there....i am just saddened that events like this happen at all....we seem to be backtracking with our history.
j.

[Norman 223]

Unfortunately, the instant media becomes an instant catalyst for this hatred, which leads to the uncontrollable violence on a large scale. Your definition of "skinhead" mentality has now permeated even our so called governments , where reason is subjugated and mediocrity becomes the new excellence.
N.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Norman...Reason definitely has been subjugated...and apathy is all around.
j.

[Ted Kniffen]

Good thought, j. There is no room for hatred, but there seems to be no room for love either. The world I expect has always been polarized. Not much is really new. Watts, Detroit, Kent State and other episodes from our youth have become Ferguson, Charlotte and now Charlottesville. All those who point the finger of blame should remember four fingers point back. Not sure what would change this mindset, maybe less vitriol being spewed 24/7 on media, social or otherwise.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

all of what you have said is so true...history repeats itself...again and again.
thank you, Ted.
j.

[AYVID N]

Hate, especially racial and ethnic eats through the fabric of all societies. The skin heads of America or the fanatics of the east, all serve the same master. A powerful comment, appreciated so much.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, DIVYA...
j.